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

[maria-olivia]

Originally Posted by Somebody

He expressed 'regrets' 2 years ago as well. In Congo they were hoping for an apology but that will apparently have to wait until another time.

Regrets are for happenig in the Past , Excuses are for happening know. That was told in our newepapers.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Somebody

He expressed 'regrets' 2 years ago as well. In Congo they were hoping for an apology but that will apparently have to wait until another time.

The King expressed "regrets" for the past, but, in his speech, he said Belgium supports the territorial integrity of the DRC (which is OK), and then hinted at military cooperation with the Congolese government to fight separatist movements in Eastern Congo. Doesn't the latter amount to foreign interference in internal affairs of the DRC? It looks like Belgium is still behaving like a colonial power then.

[cdm]

He can only offer excuses when it is backed up by the government. There is a commission going on about that so it was to be expected that excuses where not presented (yet).

[Alisa]

It is not enough to say there are "regrets" but action needs to be taken. Belgium benefitted significantly from exploitation of the DRC . Perhaps now relationships can be formed that benefits the DRC economically. For ex. Scholarships for students from the DRC to study in Belgium, work-trade programs for DRC students or new grads...whatever opportunities there are it should be given.

[maria-olivia]

It is the Reason of the State Visit .

[iceflower]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrived in Lubumbashi today, June 10:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

[eya]

The Royal Couple today 11 June visited the Katanga

https://www.rexfeatures.com/set/12981270
https://www.rexfeatures.com/set/12981230

[iceflower]

Here are some more photos of today, June 11:


** gettyimages gallery ** legion media gallery **

[eya]

At the last day in Congo today the Royal Couple visited the Bukavu

https://mobile.twitter.com/Monarchie...282816/photo/2

https://www.legion-media.ru/event/en/1/7932369.143042

[Mbruno]

I wish they also visited nearby Rwanda and Burundi, which also became Belgian colonies after World War I.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by maria-olivia

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]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

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]

Originally Posted by maria-olivia

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.