EP 9 Congo : 10 Must Read Books I African News Review 🌍

In this episode, Adesoji Iginla recommends 10 essential books that provide an extraordinary insight into the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

He starts with 'King Leopold's Ghost' by Adam Hochschild, which delves into the harrowing colonial history of Congo. Other recommended books include 'Congo, Plunder and Resistance' by David Renton, David Seddon, and Leo Zeilig, 'Dancing in the Glory of Monsters' by Jason K. Stearns, and 'The Assassination of Lumumba' by Ludo De Witte. 

Adesoji also provides two bonus book recommendations: 'Who Killed Dag Hammarskjold' by Susan Williams and 'White Malice' by Susan Williams.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Democratic Republic of Congo
01:21 Book 1: King Leopold's Ghost
05:55 Book 2: The Congo Plunder and Resistance
08:26 Book 3: Dancing in the Glory of Monsters
09:54 Book 4: The Congo, From Leopold to Kabila
10:22 Book 5: Congo, the Epic Story of a People
12:50 Book 6: The Assassination of Lumumba
14:14 Book 7: Lumumba, African Lost Leader
16:15 Book 8: The Challenge of the Congo
17:56 Book 9: Africa's World War
22:01 Book 10: Katanga, 1960 to 1963
25:09 Bonus Book 1: Who Killed Dag Hammarskjold
27:53 Bonus Book 2: White Malice

Transcript

Adesoji Iginla (00:00.942)
Hello and welcome to Adesoji Speaks Knowledge, the podcast where I share my thoughts and insights on the various topics as related to Africa. I am your host, Adesoji Iginla, and today we're diving deep into...

Adesoji Iginla (00:19.086)
that defines the Democratic Republic of Congo, but this time using book recommendations. For those who are not aware, Democratic Republic of Congo, often referred to as the beating heart of Africa, but not to be confused with the Republic of Congo, which is the smaller of the two, is a land of contrasts, complexities, and captivating stories. In terms of size, Democratic Republic of Congo

Adesoji Iginla (00:53.27)
an empire measured as 900 ,000 square miles, which is the size of Western Europe. Or better still, two -thirds of the size of the Indian subcontinent. The only country in Africa to have two time zones. Well, this topic gives you an insight into understanding Congo beyond the news. So today, I'm happy to share with you 10 essential books that I believe, in my honest opinion,

should give you an extraordinary insight into the country called Democratic of Republic of Congo. Be on the lookout. I promise to add also two books at the end. So without further ado, let's get started. The first of 10 is King Leopold's Ghost written by Adam Hochschild This groundbreaking work delves into the harrowing

colonial history of Congo, other King Leopold of Belgium. It uncovers the atrocities during the so -called rubber boom in the late 19th and early 20th century. It goes into how European nations grab last chunks of Africa, that is the Berlin Conference, and the reasons for their colonialism.

But in this case, step forward King Leopold, who described himself as a Philanthropic person and although went on to exploit Congo, he told Europeans tall tales of how he's abolished slavery. In this book, you would read how invariably what has become the order of the day, which is manufacturing consents.

This book is essentially about three stories or four stories in one. One is that of Edmund Morel, who goes on to found movements that looked into stopping the atrocities in Congo. This book also looks at the barbarity of the crimes, the period of exploration and conquest.

Adesoji Iginla (03:13.306)
before said crimes, and finally the way the world had been silenced without acknowledging the atrocities that took place in the Congo.

You will also learn that in the later part of the book that many publishers were approached with publishing this book. Unfortunately, they said no. And so it gives us an insight into how history has often been silenced. So without mincing my words, I will say before you listen to any other news story or article about King L, about Congo, read.

Adam Hochschild's King Leopold's Ghost.

Book number two is Congo, Plunder and Resistance by David Renton, David Seddon, and Leo Zeilig. It is an examination of the history of the plunder and resistance and sheds light on the struggle of the people of Congo. What makes it, however, a very interesting read is that it follows a chronological

order from pre -colonial period before ending at just the beginning of the 21st century. Throughout this book you will encounter characters such as Henry Stanley, Leopold, Lumumba and Mobutu. But the underlying argument of this book in particular is that the problems of Congo region had never occurred within just Congo but rather within the larger geopolitical

Adesoji Iginla (04:58.494)
arena. The authors have taken pains to point out that simply because the problems of the DRC or Zaire as it was then known is oftentimes the stereotypical lack of governance on behalf of the Africans that could not be farther from the truth. In fact the final chapters of this book actually alludes to the fact of the complicities

of geopolitical powers, western and also African leaders that are around. It is 243 pages of detailed analysis. And so, yes, it's a book worth having. The third book is by Jason Stearns and is titled Dancing in the Glory of Monsters. This book is

a comprehensive insight into what has plagued the entire regions around South Africa, around South Africa, around Southern Africa, most especially that Central African hub where Congo sits. And it accounts for the the Congolese war, otherwise known as the Great War of Africa, being that it brought in so many other parties. But it focuses mainly on

the politics and the Congolese politics around the people. It's a book that centers on state actors, non -state actors, and of course the Congolese itself, and how they all got entangled in what is The Congo.

And the entire debacle is often referred to as the African World's War. The book rightly starts at the beginning, which was the Rwanda massacre of Tutsis by the Hutus. Although many might find it strange that majority of the troubles in Congo has been impacted by neighboring countries. Well, here is the thing. Beyond the Berlin Conference,

Adesoji Iginla (07:15.822)
Those borders are colonial constructs and non -existent to the local communities. So Jason Stearns has taken quite a wholistic look at the entire region within and outside of Congo and the motivations for those who are party to this debacle and goes into breaking down how it is, the most important of which is the government of neighboring Paul Kagame.

who helped topple Mobutu Sese Seko. So if you want to understand the current issues in dancing in the glory of God.

Adesoji Iginla (07:59.726)
Book number four, it's The Congo, From Leopold to Kabila, A People's History, written by George Nzongola Ntalaja This book traces its trajectory from colonialism to independence and beyond, offering a nuanced understanding of the country's challenges. When you start to search for answers about,

why there is so much confusion and frustration about the Congo. You want to come to this book. Why? Majority of the books I've alluded to actually draw their expertise from this gentleman, Georges Nzongola - Ntalaja, who fills in many blanks for all of us who have fallen asleep at the wheels when it comes to understanding and following the events of Congo. I would consider this book to be

read immediately after you read Adam Hochschild's King Leopold's Ghost, as it takes you from colonialization into the realm of independence and up to present -day activities and events that shape Belgian Congo, Zaire or Democratic Republic of Congo, in those kind of whatever names they've been called in the course of time because it's

It's a somewhat a painful read about the wasted talents that have been robbed of Congo, the billions and trillions of dollars that desperate corporate interests have taken out of Congo into our cheap phones and whatever gadgets that we now use. And yes, it's a book I would recommend, The Congo.

So if you wish to see the story of the Congo from someone who has lived the story both inside and outside of the country, the Congo is a book for you. The next one is Congo, the epic story of a people by David van Reybrouck This is a very comprehensive account.

Adesoji Iginla (10:22.83)
and draws anthropological insights to create a compelling story about the Congolese experience. However, where the book falls short is the author has failed to acknowledge the extent of Belgium's involvement, probably because he's a Belgian. And you find throughout the book apologies are made for the extent of the troubles.

Occasionally, his statements are offensively incorrect. For instance, he the trying to demote what Henry M Stanley had reference in destroying Congolese villages by saying he might have exaggerated a bit, not condemning the action itself, but saying he might have embellished what he did. And.

Some of you might then be asking me why is it that I am then recommending this book if indeed it is what I claim it to be. Well, as a Belgian, I expected him to be aware, but obviously he is doing his bit for silencing of history. But this book holds a much more comprehensive

uh data on the Congo and because there is not something else out there that goes into detail like this book does I would encourage the reading but let's just say with a pinch of salt in fact if you're going to read this book I would say you read it in conjunction with David Hochschild's Leopold Ghost so

The book again is Congo the epic history of a people. So we've come to the halfway mark. If you're getting value, please like, share and subscribe. The next book is The Assassination of Lumumba written by Ludo De Witte And this book goes into detail about the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese first democratically elected prime minister.

Adesoji Iginla (12:50.878)
revealing the dark underbelly of Cold War politics. And essentially it talks about the betrayal of a man, the country, and her people. This book goes into detail what happened between June the 1st, 1960 and when the problems began. Essentially there too. The Belgians did not want to go away so immediately started hatching plots of how to undermine

the government of Patrice Lumumba. Also, the CIA did not like the new prime minister. And so thinking he might be a communist, which was far from the truth, but since he could NOT be manipulated to serve American interests, he had to be gotten rid of. And this book details everything that led to his assassination, the

including that of Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito, the two cabinet ministers who suffered gruesome death by firing squad in Katanga.

The next book, which brings me to...

our number.
Adesoji Iginla (14:18.126)
7. Number 7 book. is Lumumba. Patrice Lumumba, an African lost leader. Again, I repeat Lumumba, African lost leader. Why do I repeat? This book is very, very important to understanding. In fact, it's the only book out there that goes into detail about the life from beginning to the end of Patrice Lumumba.

gives us an understanding of the man himself because not many books out there are actually written about his life. So Leo Zellig has done a very good job of detailing Patrice Lumumba's life from beginning to death and I enjoin people to read this enduring legacy about how he fought up till the end his understandings, his expressions are chronicled in this book. Again, the title of the book is Patrice Lumumba Africa's Lost Leader.

Adesoji Iginla (15:35.886)
And if anything, this should sit alongside Ludo De Witte assassination. So it gives you those books tied together along the same dictates. But this begins from an earlier point because it begins from the start of his life, how he came into politics and how he got to

point where he became a point of assassination for the Western interest.

The next book is The Challenge of the Congo, written by Kwame Nkrumah.

Kwame Nkrumah has taken it upon himself to help write a brilliant assessment of what transpired in the halls of power, which is where this book, again, The Challenge of the Congo, comes into its own. It was a case of how the foreign pressures

leaned on Congo to the point where

Adesoji Iginla (17:04.462)
the country could not hold. And the level of interference both within and outside of Congo?

I mean, nothing could have summarized what Nkrumah was about when he said the independence of Ghana was incomplete or meaningless unless it was linked up with the total liberation of the African continent. And he said it that as long as one inch of the African soil was still under colonial rule, Africa was not free nor secure. And this book,

is Nkrumah pledge to highlighting and documenting the complicity of the West and the United Nations in the debacle that is Congo today. So in fact, I would quickly read something from the man when he says the reason for writing the book are pretty straightforward.

The history of independent Congo has been unusual right from the achievement of independence in 1960. It was faced with unusual trials and temptations. And the independent African states, including Ghana, were called upon to give it much assistance. Furthermore, the events that have taken place in the Congo since its independence constitute a turning point in the history of Africa.

If we allow the independence of Congo to be compromised in any way by the imperialist and neocolonialist, the whole of Africa will be exposed to grave risk. There must be an African solution to the crisis in Congo. And so this book is a testament to explaining what has gone, what happened.

Adesoji Iginla (19:12.462)
who was involved and what the Africans did to help themselves out of that situation. So it is a brilliant book, Challenge of the Congo by Kwame Nkrumah.

Adesoji Iginla (19:30.958)
The next book is Africa's World War Congo, the Rwandan Genocide and the Making of a Continental Catastrophe by Gerard Prunier.

This book sits as it lays bare the complex dynamic between Rwanda and Congo that have been driving this disaster. In the recent days or recent weeks, you will have heard about the M23 rebels troubling the eastern side of Congo. This is a continuation.

of what transpired during the African's world war and essentially how the mines are being exploited for the resources. I mean this book goes into extraordinary detail as to how the Rwanda genocide is actually used as cover to

destabilize the Congo and it's a very deep read in the sense that he has spared no record in bringing this book into being. I would enjoin people to get it because not only would you understand how

Adesoji Iginla (21:12.302)
The parties around Congo came into invading Congo. Yes, countries around Congo invading Congo because, what was the claim again? They were chasing their enemies into the Congo because they considered Congo to be destable. And so their enemies were hiding in Congo. Using that as cover to come and exploit resources.

in the Congo. This is the book for you. It's titled Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier. Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier.

Adesoji Iginla (22:01.774)
The last of the 10th book is Katanga, 1960 to 1963, written by Christopher Othen Now what makes this book pertinent is the eastern side of Congo.

was once a breakaway country called Katanga between 1960 and 1963. And this book, although I would also enjoy people just like the Congo, the history of a people, to read with a grain of salt.

This book is important in the sense that it shows how minerals, private contractors, or as they're now called, non -state actors, or better used term is mercenaries, the CIA would sponsor them, and global corporations come in and picking Congo clean. This book goes into detail in doing that.

But also, but however, where he falls short is the motivation for the breakaway region, saying it was an organic issue, rather than pointing out that the fact it was a way of Belgium to undermine the government of Patrice Lumumba was why they supported the breakaway of this country or

country for three years. And so the motivation he alludes to is that it was people are setting their own independence wherein all the other documents that are bound suggest otherwise. And I don't know what the motivation was for taking that line because the documents are out there that clearly states

Adesoji Iginla (24:14.798)
Katanga was used to undermine, Katanga and Kasai, which was another country, was used to undermine the powers of Patrice Lumumba in order to bring in, break his back, or break his will, as it were. So again, the book is Katanga, 1960 to 1963, subtitled, Mercenary Spies and the African Nations.

that the African nation that waged war on the world, written by Christopher Othen I did promise.

to provide two bonus readings, which brings me to... Let me see.

Adesoji Iginla (25:09.518)
Who Killed Dag Hammarskjold as the First of the Two? The UN and the Cold War and White Supremacy in Africa, written by Susan Williams. This book goes into detail about the plane crash that claimed the life of the then UN Secretary General in the southeastern side of Congo, in a place known as

in Ndola in September 1961.

And it examines documents that have since come back into light. But the detail with which the book is written is a testimony to the diligence of the writer, Susan Williams. The level of research, the level of detail is impeccable. And I must say, so much so that...

The case, which was previously set aside, has now been reopened. And they are still looking at the possibilities of finding a closure for this particular case. But the problem lies in the fact that so long as the UK, South Africa, and the United States do not open their archives,

We might not know what happened on that ill -fitted plane crash, but it's important. It's important to understand that the UN having been in Congo now, one of the longest, in fact, the longest serving peacekeeping mission in the world. It's important to draw an understanding as to how that came to be.

Adesoji Iginla (27:14.414)
So this book written by Susan Williams, who killed Dag Hammarskjold, the UN, the Cold War, and the white supremacy in Africa, is a very important, very, very important book about understanding the UN's role in Congo, what brought the UN into Congo. But.

It's a very, very important book. Very important book. Very.

And the last but not the least...

of the two bonus books is White Malice, again by Susan Williams.

Adesoji Iginla (28:07.72)
Words cannot even begin to say

to see how I feel about this book. It is.

brilliant read. It is a brilliant read. The book again is titled White Malice the CIA and the neo -colonization of Africa.

without even going into detail. This book goes, this book, the cover alone tells you what this book is about. It starts from the CIA intervention in Africa. Once the Belgians left, the Americans could not wait to go in. And once they did go in, in fact, the involvements start from 1958, at the all.

African People's Congress in Accra, Ghana, where liberation leaders attended a meeting of African peoples at the behest of Kwame Nkrumah. Lumumba will attend. And in fact, Lumumba, because the whole event was organized on the basis of people coming.

Adesoji Iginla (29:35.79)
to say what they envisage to be the part of glory for their African countries, caution was thrown to the wind. Everybody was there. Most of people were not vetted. In fact, it turned out that the person who acted as interpreter for Lumumba might have been, or in fact, it was later proven to be a spy.

The Russians were also there. And it was a brilliant window into understanding how the CIA came into Africa. Because this book then goes into how the Congo was then undermined on the basis of what they've already learned from Lumumba. What his motivations were.

And the moment the Americans realized they could not work with Lumumba, what they then did was vilification, calling him all sorts of names under the sun, referring to him as a communist, which he clearly wasn't. But as you know, what do you do if you want to hang a dog? You give it a bad name. And so...

It goes into how the CIA has since then undermined various liberation movements. In fact, how so many of the doc, so many of the magazines on the African continent were bankrolled under pseudonyms funded by the CIA. And I could go on and on about this book, but it's a very, very important book, very important book.

So I will enjoin people to get it. And with that, you have a full picture. The other books previously enumerated, you have a full picture of the goings on in the Congo. So again, just to round up, it will be The White Malice by Susan Williams.

Adesoji Iginla (32:00.718)
Who Killed Dag Hammarskjold by Susan Williams? Messner Katanga, 1960 to 1963 by Christopher Othen Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier. Challenge of the Congo by Kwame Nkrumah.

Patrice Lumumba, Africa's lost leader by Leo Zeilig. The Assassination of Lumumba by Ludo de Witte Congo, the epic history of a people by David Van Reybrouck.

The Congo, From Leopold to Kabila, A People's History by Georges Nzongola -Ntalaja. Dancing with Monsters, Dancing in the Glory of Monsters by Jason K. Stearns

Congo, Plunder and Resistance by David Renton, David Seddon, and Leo Zeilig. And last but not the least.

King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild are 12 of the books I would recommend for anyone who wants to gain a very important insight into Congo. Why, how, the why, and why it is the way it is today. These books will give you...

Adesoji Iginla (33:48.43)
an overarching view that any story that subsequently gets spun or breaks out in Congo, you are well aware of what transpired. So.

Again, without a...

Further ado, I would say it's a subject matter that needs real understanding because the real story of Congo is important, not just for the people, but also for the people looking in. And all of these books help to illuminate the complexities and contradictions that define

the Democratic Republic of Congo. So as always, I'll thank you for tuning in to Adesoji Speaks Knowledge. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep seeking the truth. Peace.