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During his first speech in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Belgium’s King Philippe expressed his deepest regrets for his nation’s abuses in its former colony. He said that Belgian colonial rule had been unjustifiable echoing sentiments of the speech he made on the 60th anniversary of Congo’s independence, two years ago
During his first speech in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Belgium’s King Philippe expressed his deepest regrets for his nation’s abuses in its former colony. He said that Belgian colonial rule had been unjustifiable echoing sentiments of the speech he made on the 60th anniversary of Congo’s independence, two years ago. His condemnation of atrocities perpetrated on the DRC was high pitched and analysts say it surpassed whatever was said on earlier occasions either by him or his predecessors.
Belgium has openly expressed its repentance over its colonial past in recent years. During the commemoration of Congo’s 60th anniversary of independence in 2020, Belgium took down a statue of King Leopold II, who plundered Congo during his 1865-1909 reign and forced many of its people into slavery. Belgium was also responsible in the later years for infamous acts of slavery, killings and forced labour, and other types of brutalities. The country became independent in 1960.
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DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said he wanted to build something new and above all, something that was constructive between Congo and Belgium, while addressing a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister De Croo in Kinshasa, the host country’s president said that the seat of European Union- Brussels -was of great strategic importance to his country.
As a mark of respect and an expression of repentance, King Philippe decorated the last surviving Congolese World War II veteran, during a historic visit. The monarch is in DRC for a six-day visit and www.trendsnafrica.com has been covering the event regularly during the visit. Historians say that millions of people were killed, mutilated, or died of disease as they were forced to collect rubber under inhuman conditions.
