The Arab-Congo War, 1892-1894

The Congo, 1890s: Two competing empires are gearing up for war to decide who will control the vast swathe of territory in the heart of Africa known as the Congo, the Congo Free State forces from the west under the control of Belgian king Leopold and the slave and ivory traders from the east, known as the Arabs by the Belgians.

Dr Mario Draper returns to the show to talk about this little-known conflict between these two competing powers and how this war highlights certain general principles adopted by many countries on colonial campaigns and counterinsurgencies.

Cover artwork: "Comfort of a Bed of Roses" by James Gillray, courtesy of Look and Learn History Picture Archive.

Music by Lexin Music from Pixabay.