Paul Costermans
| Paul Costermans | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Costermans
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| Born |
April 2, 1860 Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | March 9, 1905 (aged 44) Banana, Congo Free State (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Occupation | Soldier, civil servant |
Paul-Marie-Adolphe Costermans (2 April 1860 – 9 March 1905) was a Belgian soldier and colonial civil servant. After a brief career in the Belgian Army, Costermans enlisted for service in the military of the Congo Free State, the Force Publique, in 1890 and later served in the colony's administration. During several periods of service in the colony, Costermans rose through the ranks. Between 1904 and his death in 1905, he held the position of Vice Governor-General of the Congo.
A native of Brussels, Costermans attended the Royal Military Academy and was commissioned a sub-lieutenant of artillery in the Belgian Army on 13 December 1880. He joined the armed forces of the Congo, the Force Publique, as a lieutenant on 3 October 1890, and embarked for the Congo the same day at Vlissingen. He arrived in Boma on 2 November.
After a short stint at Zobe, 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.
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.
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