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Leeroy Jenkins at 20: The Accidental Battle Cry That Changed the Internet

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Conflict Beneath the Surface: How Central Africa’s Mineral Wealth Fuels Instability

Paul Francis
1 day ago
2 min read

In the heart of Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a land of paradoxes. Beneath its lush landscapes lie vast reserves of minerals - cobalt, coltan, gold, and tin - that are essential to the global technology and renewable energy industries. Yet, this abundance has not translated into prosperity for its people. Instead, the competition for control over these resources has perpetuated cycles of violence, displacement, and economic exploitation.

Aerial view of vibrant open-pit mine with yellow machinery working on colorful, striated rock layers in a rugged terrain.

The Resource Curse: Wealth That Breeds Conflict

The DRC's mineral riches have long been both a blessing and a curse. While they hold the promise of economic development, they have also attracted a myriad of armed groups vying for control. The M23 rebel group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, has seized key mining areas, including the Rubaya coltan mines, which are estimated to produce 15% of the world's coltan - a mineral critical for electronic devices. Control over such resources provides these groups with substantial revenue streams, enabling them to fund their operations and entrench their power. HORN REVIEW+2Global Initiative+2The Africa Report+2

Regional Dynamics: Rwanda's Involvement

Rwanda's role in the DRC's mineral conflicts is a subject of intense scrutiny. While Kigali denies direct involvement, reports suggest that Rwandan forces have supported M23 rebels in their campaigns. The minerals extracted from rebel-held territories are often smuggled across the border into Rwanda, where they enter global supply chains. This illicit trade not only undermines the DRC's sovereignty but also implicates international markets in the perpetuation of conflict.

Global Implications: The Demand for Conflict Minerals

The global demand for minerals like coltan and cobalt has surged with the proliferation of smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. This demand has inadvertently fueled conflicts in mineral-rich regions like the DRC. Despite international efforts to establish conflict-free supply chains, enforcement remains challenging. Major corporations have faced criticism for sourcing minerals linked to human rights abuses and environmental degradation. Financial Times

Human Cost: Communities Caught in the Crossfire

The human toll of the mineral-fueled conflicts is staggering. Millions have been displaced, and countless lives have been lost. In areas under rebel control, civilians often face extortion, forced labor, and violence. Artisanal miners, including children, work in hazardous conditions for meager wages, extracting minerals that fuel the global economy. The lack of infrastructure and basic services further exacerbates the suffering of these communities. AP News

International Responses: Seeking Sustainable Solutions

Efforts to address the DRC's mineral conflicts have included international sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and initiatives to promote transparency in mineral sourcing. Recently, the United States has been involved in negotiations with the DRC to secure access to critical minerals in exchange for infrastructure investments and support in resolving conflicts. However, such agreements must be approached with caution to ensure they do not perpetuate existing power imbalances or overlook the needs of local communities.

Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle

The DRC's mineral wealth has the potential to drive economic growth and development. However, without comprehensive reforms that address governance, corruption, and the rule of law, the cycle of conflict is likely to continue. International stakeholders must prioritize ethical sourcing, support capacity-building initiatives, and engage with local communities to ensure that the benefits of mineral wealth are equitably distributed. Only through such concerted efforts can the DRC transform its mineral riches from a source of conflict into a foundation for peace and prosperity.

Leeroy Jenkins at 20: The Accidental Battle Cry That Changed the Internet

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4 June 2025

Paul Francis

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It’s hard to believe, but it has now been two decades since a single battle cry, half panicked and half heroic, echoed through the digital halls of the internet and permanently lodged itself in pop culture. “Leeeeeroy Jenkins!” may not mean much to the uninitiated, but for millions of gamers and meme historians alike, it marks a turning point in online comedy, gaming culture, and the very nature of viral fame.

Hero in armor raises fist, shouting "LEEROY JENKINS!" amid skeletal warriors. Fiery sky with meteors and swords in a dramatic scene.

The iconic video that spawned the phrase was first posted online on 11 May 2005, back when YouTube was still in its infancy and Facebook was only just expanding beyond university campuses. Despite the limited channels of the time, the clip travelled fast. It didn’t just go viral. It became one of the earliest and most beloved internet memes, its reach eventually stretching far beyond the gaming world.

To understand why a man screaming his own name before ruining a virtual raid became internet legend, we need to look at where it all began: inside a game called World of Warcraft.

The World Behind the War Cry

World of Warcraft, often referred to as WoW, launched in November 2004 and quickly became a global phenomenon. It was a massive multiplayer online role-playing game, a genre where thousands of players could share the same virtual world, exploring, fighting monsters, and going on epic quests. Created by Blizzard Entertainment, WoW allowed players to step into the fantasy world of Azeroth, a realm filled with dragons, demons, ancient ruins, and warring factions.

What made WoW so popular was not just the scope of its world but the way it brought players together. Whether you were a night elf rogue sneaking through forests or a human paladin defending distant kingdoms, you were rarely alone. Players formed guilds, teamed up for challenging dungeons, and spent countless hours building their characters. It combined storytelling, strategy, social interaction and just the right amount of chaos.

By the time the Leeroy Jenkins video emerged in May 2005, WoW had already attracted millions of players. It was well on its way to becoming the most successful online game of its era.

The Birth of a Legend

The video that turned Leeroy Jenkins into a household name started, fittingly, in one of WoW’s dungeons. A guild named PALS FOR LIFE had gathered to tackle a high-level raid called Upper Blackrock Spire. The recording shows the group standing at the entrance to a particularly tricky room, methodically discussing strategy and calculating their chances of survival.

Midway through the discussion, one player who had stepped away from his keyboard returned and, seemingly unaware of the plan, charged into the room shouting his own name. “Leeeeeroy Jenkins!” he yelled, before vanishing into battle.

The group fell into disarray. Someone let out a desperate “Oh my God, he just ran in,” and what followed was a complete failure. Monsters overwhelmed them. Players panicked. The whole carefully planned mission collapsed in seconds. As the dust settled, Leeroy offered a final comment. “At least I have chicken.”

At first glance, the clip looked like a simple recording of a failed raid. In reality, it was a staged sketch meant to poke fun at the overly serious tone of raid planning. But it was so convincing, and so perfectly timed, that viewers around the world assumed it was genuine. The humour, the chaos, and the strangely relatable energy of Leeroy’s impulsive charge made it instantly shareable.

From Obscure Joke to Global Meme

Within days of its release, the video had spread across gaming forums, email chains and message boards. It became a punchline, a catchphrase, and a cultural reference point. Even people who had never played WoW started recognising the name.

The gaming community embraced Leeroy Jenkins as a kind of folk hero. He represented every player who had ever rushed into a fight without reading the instructions, every teammate who pressed the wrong button, and every friend who ruined the plan in the funniest possible way.

Person in a gray t-shirt and light pants holds a microphone on a stage with a blue background, conveying a serious mood. — Ben Schulz

Blizzard, the creators of WoW, soon acknowledged the meme inside the game itself. They added a special achievement titled “Leeeeeeeeeeeeeroy!” for players who managed to recreate the infamous charge. At WoW fan events, Leeroy’s name was shouted from the crowd. The man behind the voice, Ben Schulz, became a minor celebrity, appearing at conventions and giving interviews about his unexpected internet fame.

The meme’s reach didn’t stop at gaming. Leeroy Jenkins was referenced on shows like South Park and The Daily Show. In 2010, Marvel Comics paid tribute in a Deadpool issue, where the wisecracking anti-hero screamed “Leeroy Jenkins!” as he hurled himself into battle. Even Jeopardy! once featured Leeroy as a clue.

Leeroy Jenkins, A Lasting Legacy

What made the Leeroy Jenkins meme so enduring was its timing. It arrived just as the internet was beginning to change. YouTube was new, social media was growing, and people were starting to realise how quickly a funny clip could become a global joke. Leeroy was part of a generation of early internet content that spread by word of mouth, shared not through algorithms but by sheer amusement.

Today, gaming videos are a thriving industry. Streamers, content creators and esports professionals fill platforms like Twitch and YouTube with carefully edited highlights and monetised commentary. But back in 2005, it was a different world. Leeroy Jenkins wasn’t planned for fame. That spontaneity is part of what still makes it so memorable.

As the meme turns twenty, it has taken its place in the history books of internet culture. The graphics may look dated now, and the audio may be grainy, but the spirit of it all lives on. It’s a reminder that sometimes, chaos is funny. Sometimes, charging in blindly is more fun than waiting for the perfect plan. And sometimes, shouting your own name is enough to make history.

So here’s to Leeroy. Twenty years later, we still haven’t forgotten.