Belgium found guilty of crimes against humanity in colonial Congo
GuardianNOV 2024
Kind words aren't enough to erase the horrors Belgium inflicted upon the Congo, especially considering Belgium and the West's intervention in Congolese affairs and exploitation of the country's resources following the colonial period into the modern-day. The only way forward is reparations.
King Philippe's trip is a historic moment for both Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Though the horrors of European colonialism will never be erased, the king's warm welcome indicates that the Congo's economic and political situation may be able to improve in the future.
Though the horrors of European colonialism in Africa are, of course, terrible, there is an intellectual trend that conquest and exploitation are unique to Europe. Colonialism has been a facet of history across cultures since the beginning of civilization, and most of the continent's current woes stem from corruption and other internal issues.