King Philip of Belgium has landed in Democratic Republic of Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on Tuesday, in Historic visit to the Central African country with the aim of launch new partnership.
King A six- A day trip described as a chance for Reconciliation after the atrocities committed under Belgian colonialism rule.
The visit comes two years after Philippe sent a letter to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi to express his “deep regret”. for wounds of The past. “
Tshisekedi and his wife received King Philip and Queen Mathilde on Rolled red carpet out on runway of The international an airport of The capital, Kinshasa, is sprawling city of about 15 million people.
Monday, Congolese government “Belgium and Congo have started,” federation spokesman Patrick Moaya told reporters.new partnership.”
We don’t forget pastwe are looking forward to future,” he is added.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo, who visit the nation of 90 million people To the king’s side, he echoed the sentiment.
“It’s a historic moment,” he told a Belgian. national Announcer Tuesday, praising the opportunity for fraud future Close relationships.
colonization of belgium of Congo was one of The harshest imposition by the most powerful European powers of Africa in late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
King Leopold II, brother of Philip great-great father, oversaw the conquest of What is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which governs the territory as his character property Between 1885 and 1908 before it became a Belgian colony.
cruel rule
Historians say so millions of people Killed, maimed, or died of The disease where they were forced to collect rubber under it rule. was the earth also Looting for Its wealth of minerals, wood and ivory.
The visit is the visit of King Philip first To the Democratic Republic of the Congo since his accession to the throne in 2013. His father, King Albert II, visited the country in 2010.
Belgium is preparing to return to Kinshasa Sen – last remains of Patrice Lumumba – Champion of Anti-colonialism struggle And short-lived first prime minister of independent Congo.
Lumumba was killed by Congolese separatists and Belgian mercenaries in 1961, and his body melted in but the teeth were kept as a file trophy by one of He was killed by a Belgian police officer.
According to the Belgian Royal Palace, the King is also Because of the discussion of the question of Returning artworks looted during the colonial era.
Philip is scheduled to hold a ceremony with Tshisekedi in the Congolese Parliament in Kinshasa on Wednesday and then on Friday gives a speech to university students in southern city of Lubumbashi.
The Belgian king will visit the clinic on Sunday of Gynecologist Dennis Mukwege, co-winner of Nobel Peace Prize 2018 for for him fight against sexual violence in oriental city of Bukavu.
The flight comes at once of Tensions escalate between Kinshasa and neighboring Rwanda over Rebel activity in conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Congo government Rwanda has accused of He supported the March 23rd rebel movement militia, an accusation denied by Rwanda.
