19 September 1903
King Leopold II of Belgium denied accusations of brutality in the Congo Free State (CFS) and warned foreign powers not to interfere in the running of his private country. CFS was a “private project” undertaken by the Leopold II to mine rubber and ivory from his personal colony, exploiting his slaves. Leopold II was responsible for the death of possible millions of Africans.
References

Boddy-Evans A.,( 2011), ‘This Day in African History: 19 September’,  from African History [online] Available at www.africanhistory.about.com [Accessed 18 September 2013]|Moreorless.au, (2011) ‘King Leopold II’, [online], Available at www.moreorless.au.com [Accessed 18 September 2013]|

 

South African History Online,‘Republic of Congo’, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed 18 September 2013]|

Religious Tolerance, 2005. ‘The Congo Free State Genocide’, [online], Available at www.religioustolerance.org [Accessed: 18 September 2013]