Belgian King admits colonial wrongs, but declines to apologise

Belgian King Philippe in Kinshasa.

Belgian King Philippe at People's Palace in Kinshasa on June 8, 2022. PHOTO | COURTESY | DRC PRESIDENCY OFFICE

Belgian King Philippe has said that his country’s colonial past in the Congo was based on racism, as the monarch tried to undo his predecessors’ misdeeds in the 20th century.

In Kinshasa for the first time since ascending to the throne, King Philippe said his country takes full responsibility for the past misdeeds, but he did not apologise for the mistakes which have been documented, including ethnic cleansing, plunder and torture.