Belgian Official Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): 7-13 June 2022

[Duc_et_Pair]

The brutal past seems more a theme in Belgium itself than in the Congo. The reception was remarkably warm and welcome. The State Visit seems smooth and successful.

Of course the Congo (and Rwanda and Burundi) have seen their own horrorful atrocities, not so long ago. That the Belgians make an excuse for shocking horrors in the 19th Century is maybe not such an item for today's people in these countries whom have endured unbelievable slaughters. Remember the Huti and Tutsi tribes with beheadings, rape and ravaging village after village, remeber children soldiers turning into merciless killing machines.

That then King Philippe makes an excuse for his great- great- great- great uncle Leopold II is maybe nice but not a very urgent item for the Congolese people themselves.

 

[maria-olivia]

I may tell you that a lot of belgians had a very happy and confortable life in Congo before its Independance.

 

[iceflower]

Here are some more photos of the final day today:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prinsara]

The brutal past seems more a theme in Belgium itself than in the Congo. The reception was remarkably warm and welcome. The State Visit seems smooth and successful.

Of course the Congo (and Rwanda and Burundi) have seen their own horrorful atrocities, not so long ago. That the Belgians make an excuse for shocking horrors in the 19th Century is maybe not such an item for today's people in these countries whom have endured unbelievable slaughters. Remember the Huti and Tutsi tribes with beheadings, rape and ravaging village after village, remeber children soldiers turning into merciless killing machines.

That then King Philippe makes an excuse for his great- great- great- great uncle Leopold II is maybe nice but not a very urgent item for the Congolese people themselves.

It's "more a theme" because Belgium is still trying to process it, and as you say, the DRC and region have bigger day-to-day issues. The DRC is also pretty used to visiting Belgian royals at this point.

But one atrocity does not minimize another. The great-great-great uncle (only three not-so-greats) is the one who introduced this style of horror and death locally, and the family is going to be contrite for a while longer — and remain incredibly thankful they aren't the direct descendants of a monster. That's their burden.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I may tell you that a lot of belgians had a very happy and confortable life in Congo before its Independance.

That is a phenomenon we see with the British in the East- and West Indies. And the Dutch in "their" East- and West Indies. But of course they were very privileged Europeans living in colonies.

 

[maria-olivia]

That is a phenomenon we see with the British in the East- and West Indies. And the Dutch in "their" East- and West Indies. But of course they were very privileged Europeans living in colonies.

Absolutely no , in each belgian family a member went to Congo to start a new life.

 

[iceflower]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde departed today, June 13:


** gettyimages gallery ** rex gallery **

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Absolutely no , in each belgian family a member went to Congo to start a new life.

Okay then.


The white Belgian and European colonists had no privileged position in [-]the Congo[/-] Disneyland.