Paul Costermans
Paul Costermans | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 9 March 1905 | (aged 44)
Nationality | Belgian |
Occupation(s) | Soldier, civil servant |
Paul-Marie-Adolphe Costermans (2 April 1860 – 9 March 1905) was a
Career
A native of
After a brief posting elsewhere, Costermans was appointed district commissioner of Stanley Pool (Léopoldville), where he arrived on 26 May 1891. On 26 September, King Leopold II promoted him district commissioner 2nd class. He undertook major construction projects for the burgeoning colonial town. On 24 February 1892, having fallen ill, he handed over his command and left Léopoldville for Boma, where he arrived on 10 March. He embarked for Europe on 16 April and arrived a month later on 16 May.[1][2]
On 6 December 1892, just over six months after having arrived in Europe, Costermans left again for Africa. He was re-appointed district commissioner of Stanley Pool. His was a nervous personality. His habit of pacing his veranda at night led the locals to nickname him gondoko (leopard). In April 1894 he fell ill again and was ordered to return to Europe. He left on 20 May and arrived on 24 June.[1][2]
Costermans' second convalescence in Europe lasted a little over a year. He was back in the Congo on 6 September 1895, again as district commissioner of Stanley Pool. On 1 June 1897 he was promoted to the rank of district commissioner general. He explored the territory of the
On 1 March 1899, Costermans departed for Léopoldville for the third time, this time as inspector-general of the Congo Free State. On 16 March 1901, he returned to Europe. Later that year he was given a special commission to explore
Costermans returned to Europe in September 1903, but re-embarked for the Congo on 5 January 1904 with the title of Vice Governor-General to take over the reins from Félix Fuchs. His government coincided with the release of the Casement Report, a damning account of atrocities carried out in the Congo Free State. On 9 March 1905, in Banana, Costermans evaded his own security detail and shot himself dead. This is generally thought to have been in response to renewed enquiries into Congo atrocities.[3] His body was repatriated to Belgium.[1][2]
Costermans was an honorary captain commanding the artillery of the
Works
Costermans published two short essays during his lifetime:
- "Le district du Stanley-Pool". Bulletin de la Société d'Études coloniales, vol. 1 (1885), 24–76.
- "Notice sur la tribu des Ba-Nfumus". Missions belges de la Compagnie de Jésus (1899), p. 58.