Léon-Charles-Édouard Hanolet (25 November 1859 – 1 December 1908) was a Belgian soldier, explorer and colonial administrator. He is known for his explorations in 1894–1895 in what is now the Central African Republic, which led to an agreement between France and Belgium that the Ubangi-Mbomou rivers would form the boundary between their territories. He defended the Lado Enclave against the retreating Mahdist forces in 1898.
Early years (1859–1888)
Léon-Charles-Édouard Hanolet was born in Mehaigne, Éghezée, Namur, Belgium on 25 November 1859. He made his career as a soldier. He enlisted in the 6th line regiment. On 25 June 1883 he was appointed second lieutenant in the 13th line regiment. In 1888 he volunteered to serve in the Congo Free State.
First Congo tour: Zongo (1888–1891)
Hanolet embarked for Africa on 17 June 1888. Henri Avaert arrived in Boma on 21 September 1888, where he assumed command of the Force Publique from Léon Roget. He was assisted by lieutenants Fiévez, Debergh and Hanolet, 13 Belgian non-commissioned officers and soldiers, and 28 Hausa or Bangala instructors.
After a few months with Avaert in Bas-Congo Hanolet was attached to the fourth Ubangi expedition, organized by Alphonse van Gèle. The expedition left Léopoldville on 21 May 1889 in the steamers En Avant and Association internationale Africaine, and a large canoe. It was led by Van Gèle and included district commissioner Georges le Marinel, Hanolet, lieutenant Édouard De Rechter and sub-lieutenant Léon Busine.
The expedition reached Zongo on 25 June 1889, where a station was founded as a base of operations with Hanolet in command. The Association internationale Africaine was almost lost in the Zongo rapids. Hanolet commanded this post for two years, assisted by Busine. The French founded the post of Bangui opposite Zongo soon after. Hanolet was reported to have forcibly ended the trade in slaves by the Bobangi in the Bangui-Zongo area, although slaves do not seem to have formed a significant part of the workforce. Hanolet was succeeded by Lieutenant Heymans on 15 May 1891. On 17 July 1891 he embarked for Europe from Boma.
Second Congo tour: North of Mbomou (1892–1895)
Hanolet was promoted to captain-commander. On 10 May 1892 he embarked for Africa in Bordeaux, accompanied by Florimond Delanghe, and arrived in Boma on 18 June 1892. He was assigned to the Ubangi-Bomu expedition to Bangassou, commanded by Le Marinel in place of Van Gèle. Le Marinel left for Europe and was in turn replaced by Georges Adolphe Balat. Balat died on 19 April 1893 leaving Hanolet in charge of the Upper Ubangi and Mbomou.
Hanolet was eager to resume exploration to the north but staff shortages caused long delays. He established the post of Gandu at the confluence of the Mbomou and Chinko River, which he placed under Lieutenant Raphaël Stroobant on 30 May 1893. Soon after he appointed Stroobant to found the post of Darbaki. In October 1893 the expedition to the Chari River was assembled in Bangassou. Lieutenant Cowe, head of the Bakouma post, died on 7 October 1893. Hanolet replaced him by Gérard. He also established posts at Dabago and Sattet to secure communication with the rear. In November 1893 Le Marinel, now a state inspector, resumed command of Haut-Ubanghi-Mbomou.
In mid-December 1893 Théodore Nilis was assigned by Le Marinel to lead a reconnaissance expedition to Dār Fertit, with lieutenants Charles de la Kethulle, Gérard and Gonze as his deputies. The expedition left Bangassou on 28 December 1893, with the goal of reaching Hofrah-el-Nahas on the Bahr-el-Fertit. On 15 February 1894 it reached Sango at the confluence of the Badabo and Mbili rivers. It stopped at Katuaka (), home of chief Acmed Curcia. The post later known as Fort de l'Adda was founded there, with Gérard as commander assisted by Henrion. The column was stopped by floods and did not go further. It returned via Kuria, which it reached on 1 April 1894, and on 24 April 1894 arrived at Dabago, where Hanolet was waiting. In May Nilis and de la Kethulle returned to Rafaï.