How did French colonial rule affect workers in the Republic of the Congo?

French colonial rule in the Republic of the Congo was characterized by extreme exploitation and the ruthless treatment of the local population. To facilitate the extraction of resources and the development of infrastructure, the French administration relied heavily on forced labour, head taxes, and the compulsory production of cash crops.1

The colonial economy placed severe burdens on African workers, who were often forced to abandon their own agricultural livelihoods to meet the demands of concessionary companies. This disruption frequently led to food shortages and famine. Furthermore, workers were subjected to draconian labour contracts and forced to work in environments that exposed them to diseases such as sleeping sickness and malaria, resulting in a substantially increased death rate.2

The most devastating project was the construction of the Congo-Ocean Railway between 1921 and 1934. The project required the conscription of thousands of Africans, and it is estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 people died during its completion. These systemic abuses were part of a broader colonial strategy that prioritized profit and administrative convenience over the lives and well-being of the indigenous people.123