The Forgotten Thrones: The History of the Killing of African Rulers by Western Powers
The Forgotten Thrones: The History of the Killing of African Rulers by Western Powers
Africa’s rich tapestry of kingdoms, empires, and ruling dynasties has long been overshadowed by the legacy of colonization. Beneath the surface of imperial expansion lies a darker and more violent chapter—the systematic killing, deposition, and destruction of African rulers by Western powers. This chapter reveals not just physical conquest, but the targeted erasure of political and cultural sovereignty.
Introduction: Sovereigns as Threats
From the late 15th century onwards, as European powers began exploring and later exploiting African lands, they encountered well-established political systems, powerful kings, and complex governance structures. These were not lawless territories awaiting "civilization"—they were thriving civilizations. But to facilitate colonization, rulers who resisted European domination were often deposed, exiled, or killed.
This blog explores some of the most significant examples of such killings, the motives behind them, and the broader implications on African statehood.
1. King Nzinga a Nkuwu and the Kongo Kingdom (15th–16th Century)
Background:
The Kingdom of Kongo in Central Africa was one of the first African states to engage with Europeans, particularly the Portuguese, in the late 1400s. Its ruler, King Nzinga a Nkuwu, even converted to Christianity and took the name João I.
Downfall:
As Portuguese influence grew, they increasingly sought to control the kingdom's trade and religious direction. Later rulers, such as King António I, resisted this dominance. In 1665, the Battle of Mbwila resulted in António I's death at the hands of the Portuguese. His head was sent to Portugal as a trophy.
2. King Behanzin of Dahomey (1890s)
Background:
The Kingdom of Dahomey (modern-day Benin) was a militarily powerful state known for its elite female warriors and robust trade networks. King Behanzin resisted French colonization fiercely.
Downfall:
In the Franco-Dahomean Wars (1890–1894), the French invaded Dahomey. Despite a strong defense, Behanzin was defeated and exiled to Martinique and later Algeria, where he died in 1906. The French installed a puppet ruler and declared Dahomey a colony.
3. Samori Ture, the Lion of West Africa
Background:
Samori Ture was a brilliant military leader who founded the Wassoulou Empire in parts of Guinea, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. He led a decades-long resistance against French colonization.
Downfall:
Despite adapting to modern warfare and diplomacy, Samori Ture was eventually captured in 1898 by the French and exiled to Gabon, where he died in captivity in 1900.
4. King Lobengula of the Ndebele (Zimbabwe)
Background:
Lobengula was the second and last king of the Ndebele Kingdom, located in present-day Zimbabwe. The British South Africa Company, led by Cecil Rhodes, was eager to seize control of Ndebele land.
Downfall:
The signing of the Rudd Concession (1888) under dubious terms allowed the British to claim land rights. When Lobengula resisted, war broke out. The Ndebele were defeated in the First Matabele War (1893–94). Lobengula fled and likely died in exile, possibly poisoned or dying of illness while being hunted by British forces.
5. Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia (1868)
Background:
Tewodros II sought to modernize Ethiopia and unify its people. However, his relationship with the British soured after he imprisoned British diplomats.
Downfall:
In response, Britain launched the Abyssinian Expedition (1868), sending thousands of troops. Facing imminent defeat, Tewodros II committed suicide rather than surrender. His son was taken to Britain, and many royal treasures were looted—many remain there today.
6. Patrice Lumumba, the First Prime Minister of the Congo (1961)
Background:
After the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960, Patrice Lumumba became its first Prime Minister. He was a charismatic leader and Pan-Africanist who sought economic independence from the West.
Downfall:
Amid Cold War tensions, Lumumba was viewed as a threat by Western powers. The CIA, Belgian operatives, and Congolese rivals orchestrated his arrest, torture, and assassination in 1961. His body was dissolved in acid; only a tooth remains, which was returned to his family in 2022.
7. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya (2011)
Background:
Gaddafi ruled Libya for over four decades, often at odds with Western powers. He used Libya’s oil wealth to fund Pan-African initiatives and was seen by many African leaders as a unifying force.
Downfall:
During the Arab Spring, NATO intervened in Libya's civil war under a UN mandate. However, the operation far exceeded its scope. Gaddafi was eventually captured and brutally killed by rebels—an act widely seen as being encouraged, if not indirectly orchestrated, by Western powers. The power vacuum left behind destabilized the region for years.
8. Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso (1987)
Background:
Often dubbed "Africa’s Che Guevara," Sankara led a revolutionary government in Burkina Faso, prioritizing self-reliance, women’s rights, and anti-imperialism.
Downfall:
His policies, which undermined French neo-colonial influence, made him a target. In 1987, he was assassinated in a coup led by Blaise Compaoré, widely believed to have had support or encouragement from foreign interests. Only in recent years has France begun releasing archival information related to his murder.
Motivations Behind the Killings
The killings and depositions of African rulers were not random acts of violence—they were strategic acts of statecraft by imperial powers. Key motivations included:
- Control over land and resources
- Suppression of resistance to colonization
- Imposition of foreign economic systems
- Erasure of cultural and historical identity
- Elimination of ideological threats (especially Pan-Africanism, socialism, nationalism)
Cultural Erasure and Psychological Impact
Alongside the physical elimination of rulers came the destruction of palaces, seizure of royal regalia, and rewriting of histories. African schoolchildren were taught European history while their own royal ancestors were demonized, ignored, or forgotten.
The death or removal of rulers wasn’t just political—it represented the death of entire systems of governance, identity, and pride. In many cases, the leadership vacuum created enduring instability, civil wars, or dictatorships.
Reclaiming the Narrative
In the 21st century, efforts are underway to reclaim African sovereignty and historical truth. These include:
- Return of looted artifacts from Western museums
- Legal reparations and formal apologies (such as Belgium’s apology to Lumumba’s family)
- Revival of African monarchies in ceremonial or symbolic roles
- Education reforms that include indigenous African histories
Conclusion: Remembering the Fallen Thrones
The murder and deposition of African rulers by Western powers was a deliberate dismantling of African statehood. These were not isolated incidents, but a pattern of violence driven by greed, racial superiority, and geopolitical strategy.
By remembering the names and stories of kings like Behanzin, queens like Nzinga, revolutionaries like Sankara, and modern leaders like Lumumba, we begin the process of restoring historical justice.
As Africa continues to rise, these memories are not just about the past—they are guiding lights for a sovereign, united future.
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