On the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo, King Philip of Belgium expressed "deep remorse" for the violence and brutality of his country's Congo regime.
The letter to DRC President Felix Siskedi in the Belgian media is historically described as the first time the King of Belgium has expressed regret over the country's colonial past, which is nothing short of an apology.
In the letter, King wrote of "traumatic episodes" of the two countries' shared history, referring to the Free State of the Congo, run by his predecessor, Leopold II, which killed an estimated 10 million people in the brutal exploitation of the region, and became a hot topic in the Black Lives Matter protests.
Without naming Leopold II, King Philip wrote: "During the Congo Free State [1885-1908], violence and cruelty were still insignificant to our collective memory. Even after the colonial period, suffering, and humiliation. I want to express my deepest regret for today's suffering. "
After Leopold II had to leave the Congo as his personal faith in 1909, the Belgian state ran the country until June 30, 1970. After massive independence, Belgium controlled Patrice Lumumba, becoming the first Democratic Prime Minister of the Congo. Minister. Lumba was assassinated by the Congolese rebels and Belgian army officers in 1961 in silent cooperation by the Belgian government at the behest of the CII.
Respected opposition politician Martin Fayalou at the DRC said it was never too late to acknowledge the mistakes made in the past and called for reunification from Belgium.
"If they can figure out what they've done here, all is well, but these are not just words because it's fashionable to say at the moment, but it's the past. Now it's important.". "
Fay also, leader of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development Party, said the anniversary of independence annoyed him. Many observers believe the 63-year-old elderly politician won the 2018 election lightly, but that the current president, Felix Tseki, is out of power. Faye declined the official number, saying that it was the product of a secret deal between Secundei and outgoing President Joseph Kabila, which knocked him out of a clear victory.
“The Congo robbery never stopped. Our resources are stolen, our people are in despair, we are ruled by dictators and thieves. International powers say they must be practical. And look where we are
Takeda, who heads the coalition government, called the day a “meditation” rather than a celebration and will address the nation on Tuesday.
"Meditation" has been welcomed, says 28-year-old Joshua Sibgawa, a shopkeeper and pro-democracy activist in Mabuzi-Mei, in the Butcher-Oriental province.
"The Congolese people need to ask themselves what their country is going to do in the future. Citizens should ask their leaders more. The DRC is at a crossroads," Sibbawa said.
Jerome Ongom, an 86-year-old retired teacher who lives in Bangkok, has reported that parent leaders have promised "heaven on earth" after being freed from Congo colonial rule.
"Before independence, our politicians promised ... Congo would drive cars and get high salaries. I am now retiring with no driving or income.
"I remember my father saying that the robbers were going away.
David Luta, a student from Fiji in the southern Kivu province, said he was happy that it had become a "political plan for the future" despite the manipulation during last year's election.
“The fact that Kabila has been peacefully transferred to Felix Tskedi gives us hope for the future of the younger generation,” said Luta, 23.
Despite its huge natural wealth, including precious metals and precious metals, the DRC suffers from deep poverty, widespread violence, and disease.
The King's letter contradicts the recent remarks of his younger brother Prince Laurent, who did not see how Leopold II was responsible for the atrocities that were widely reported in the Congo Free State and did not even step into the country.
Belgian commentators disagreed with King Philip's ancestors who ignored colonial violence. At an Independence Day event in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) on June 30, 1960, King Baudouin declared that the Congo's self-determination was "the result of an action by Leopold II," while "praising the" bravery of his predecessors "but not the winner. A 'citizen'
Echoing some of King's words, Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes urged her to acknowledge the anguish of the past, without a formal apology. "Along with other European countries, it is time for Belgium to embark on a path of research, truth, and memory."
The death of George Floyd in the US revived anti-racist protests in Belgium, prompting the federal parliament to set up a "truth and harmony" commission to "clean up" the country's colonial past.
Belgian politicians have suggested that the king's statement was not apologetic, as it did not want to stop the commission's work.
Belgian anti-racist campaigners have set a deadline of 30 June to remove all the statutes of Leopold II. In support of the Black Leaves Matter movement, Belgium, colonial-era monuments and busts were separated, lit, or soaked with red paint or paint. Although some have been formally removed, the city of Brussels has promised public debate on monuments, including Congolese diaspora.
The Brussels politician, who campaigns for a better understanding of Belgium's colonial heritage, said it was too early for a royal apology. "I think the king did not immediately apologize," Green deputy Calvin Soares in the Brussels-area parliament told Belgium's Francophone public broadcaster RTBF. "We need parliamentary work to establish the facts. Once the facts are established, we can talk about forgiveness or re-examination."
Soiree, who was born in Togo, also described how he got racist abuse because of his work.
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