Congolese In Belgium Protest Kabila’s Rule
The protest against Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila, was held by about 500 Congolese in the former colonial capital Brussels on Wednesday.
Protesters shouted messages of commemoration for the first president of the independent Republic of Congo, Patrice Lumumba, murdered shortly after taking power.
As the protesters gathered in Brussels, thousands in Kinshasa, Congo, were waiting for the start of the official celebrations of 50 years of independence from Belgium.
Belgium has spent weeks debating how far it should go in showing support for Kabila by celebrating the event, particularly after the mysterious death this month of Congo's top human rights activist.
In the end Belgium decided to send its king, queen and the acting prime minister to the ceremonies. But it ruled out letting its troops participate in the parade or allowing King Albert to give a public speech.
However, the first visit to Congo by a Belgian monarch in 25 years does mark an easing of tensions. Two years ago, Congo withdrew its ambassador to Belgium after Belgium's then foreign minister criticised Kinshasa over corruption and human rights.
The organizers of the protest object to Belgium's tacit support of the current government.
[Anti-Kabila Protester]: (French)
"We like the king but he has to sort out the problems of the Congolese. We must change Mr. Kabila. We must change the government of Kabila. We like Belgium. We are here!"
[Anti-Kabila Protester]: (French)
"People need to study! People need to eat! Children are not eating! They are dying of hunger! We want children to eat! The king, the King, you are in Congo!"
The protesters marched to the European Union institutions picking up more participants along the way.
Protesters shouted messages of commemoration for the first president of the independent Republic of Congo, Patrice Lumumba, murdered shortly after taking power.
As the protesters gathered in Brussels, thousands in Kinshasa, Congo, were waiting for the start of the official celebrations of 50 years of independence from Belgium.
Belgium has spent weeks debating how far it should go in showing support for Kabila by celebrating the event, particularly after the mysterious death this month of Congo's top human rights activist.
In the end Belgium decided to send its king, queen and the acting prime minister to the ceremonies. But it ruled out letting its troops participate in the parade or allowing King Albert to give a public speech.
However, the first visit to Congo by a Belgian monarch in 25 years does mark an easing of tensions. Two years ago, Congo withdrew its ambassador to Belgium after Belgium's then foreign minister criticised Kinshasa over corruption and human rights.
The organizers of the protest object to Belgium's tacit support of the current government.
[Anti-Kabila Protester]: (French)
"We like the king but he has to sort out the problems of the Congolese. We must change Mr. Kabila. We must change the government of Kabila. We like Belgium. We are here!"
[Anti-Kabila Protester]: (French)
"People need to study! People need to eat! Children are not eating! They are dying of hunger! We want children to eat! The king, the King, you are in Congo!"
The protesters marched to the European Union institutions picking up more participants along the way.
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