Belgium, a country with a dark and brutal history in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is displaying shocking hypocrisy in its recent condemnation of human rights abuses in the region.
For a nation responsible for the murder of over 10 million Congolese during King Leopold’s reign and the plundering of resources worth hundreds of millions, Belgium’s stance is nothing short of arrogant and pretentious.
Under King Leopold II, Belgium committed unspeakable atrocities in Congo, exploiting its people and resources with no regard for human life.
The reign of terror left the country in shambles, with Congolese citizens suffering in abject poverty and misery.
Belgium never invested in the development of Congo as it did in its own country—no schools, no hospitals, no roads, no railways, no airports.
The legacy of Leopold’s greed and cruelty left deep scars that the Congolese people still grapple with today.
Yet, Belgium has never paid reparations for its crimes. It has never truly acknowledged the devastation it wrought or sought to make amends for its horrific past.
Instead, Belgium now has the audacity to lecture other nations on human rights and the situation in Eastern DRC.
In a recent statement, Belgium expressed extreme concern over the violations and abuses of human rights in Eastern DRC, citing the worsening security situation, the plight of over 7 million internally displaced people, and the shocking scale of sexual and gender-based violence.
It decried the illegal exploitation of Congo’s natural resources and called for the perpetrators of these crimes to be brought to justice.
This sanctimonious declaration is dripping with irony.
Belgium’s history in Congo is a testament to the worst forms of exploitation and abuse. The country has no moral ground to stand on when it comes to lecturing about human rights or justice.
The exploitation and suffering of the Congolese people are direct results of Belgium’s colonial legacy.
Belgium’s failure to pay tribute to the millions who suffered and died under its rule, its disregard for reparations, and its blatant hypocrisy in condemning others for actions it perfected are nothing short of offensive.
The world must not forget Belgium’s horrific past in Congo and must hold it accountable for its continued arrogance and lack of respect.
The plight of the Congolese people is a tragedy that Belgium helped create. It is time for Belgium to acknowledge its responsibility, pay reparations, and stop pretending to be a moral authority on issues of human rights and justice.
The Congolese deserve more than empty words from their former oppressors; they deserve true justice and recognition of their suffering.
