Final answer:
Belgium's rule in the Congo was direct, initially as King Leopold II's personal possession and later as a Belgian government colony, until Congolese independence in 1960.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rule of Belgium in the Congo was largely direct. Initially, the Congo was not a Belgian but a personal possession of King Leopold II, named the Congo Free State. It was acquired under false humanitarian pretexts but the harsh reality was one of brutal exploitation.
The territory was directly ruled by Leopold and he leased parts to private companies that brutally exploited the Congolese people and resources such as ivory and rubber. After the atrocities came to light and following international pressure, the Belgian government took over in 1908, and it became known as the Belgian Congo.
The administration during the Belgian government period was still direct but was a colonial administration under Belgian government control instead of being a personal domain of the King.
Despite the colony's vast size and numerous ethnic groups, Belgium directly ruled the Congo without significant intermediaries or self-rule by the Congolese people. This continued until the independence movement gained strength, leading Belgium to hastily grant Congo independence on June 30, 1960, amidst increasing violence and Cold War politics.