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DRC: Complex and tormented relations with Belgium
But the relationship of the two capitals (Kinshasa and Brussels) often evolves in the mode of “I love you, me either”, where Belgians and Congolese alternate from quarrel to reconciliation. The last clash happened two years ago when former foreign minister, Karel de Gucht, criticized corrupt Congolese elites and added there was no valid interlocutor in Congo. Kinshasa has then recalled its ambassador to Belgium.
So this time and to avoid any incident or slippage, King Albert II and Prime Minister will not speak publicly during their four day visit. It is not even planned that the king would speak at the gala dinner hosted Tuesday by President Joseph Kabila to foreign heads of states present for the fiftieth anniversary of independence.
Although King Albert II is the Belgian army chief, he will attend in civilian dress, and no Belgian soldiers will participate in the military parade; Part of the Belgian public opinion is opposed to, finding the Congolese army guilty of atrocities against the people of the eastern provinces of the country. The murder of the leading human rights, Floribert Chebeya, earlier this month had also encouraged NGOs to ask the Belgian king to abandon his trip to the DRC…