What did king Leopold assure the world he was trying to do for the Congolese people?

King Leopold II served as king of Belgium from 1865 to 1909, during the height of European colonial expansion. European countries competed for overseas colonies in places such as Africa and Southeast Asia, competing for resources, power, and prestige. Leopold unsuccessfully tried to obtain control of the Philippines twice before turning his attention to Africa. In 1876 he created the International African Society, which was essentially a front for Leopold's colonial exploits. King Leopold claimed it was a humanitarian effort to "civilize" and explore central Africa and convinced African and European leaders that his society was a philanthropic foundation. Instead, in 1879 Leopold created the International Association of the Congo to replace the International African Society. This association allowed Leopold to create his Congo Free State, which he first used to explore and then exploit the Congo. The Congo was particularly rich in resources, such as rubber. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, Leopold convinced European powers that common trade in Africa was in the best interests of all imperial countries. The area controlled by the Congo Society was made its private property, which essentially made it the property of Leopold II.