Under what rule?

German East Africa was under Direct rule because Germans invaded the area and remained their to rule it themselves. Karl Peters was the main german in charge of running the African territories. He believed in severe punishement and often whipped and killed woman to make a point. The african people called him Milkono wa Damu or "the Man with blood on his hands". He made treaties with cheifs in East Africa  to cede territories to him. He helped establish the German East African protectorate of Tanganyilea.