From CNN to The Guardian and Le Monde, King Filip’s regrets for the misdeeds in Congo go around the world. “The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is having an effect.”
–
Many major international media today report that King Philippe has expressed regrets to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi for the misdeeds during the reign of Leopold II and the colonial period.
The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung places it prominently on its website, for example. “The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement has an effect,” it sounds. “For the first time, a Belgian head of state has spoken out against the ‘violence and cruelty’ during the rule of Congo.” The French newspaperThe world publishes a similar news item on its site.
The Guardian notes that the king’s letter is labeled “historical” in Belgium. The British newspaper also gives voice to Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who asks Belgium to make reparations. Fayulu hopes it doesn’t stop with words. “If they now recognize what they have done, it is good. But it cannot be put into words because it sounds good at the moment. That is the past. What matters now is what they do. “
The American news channel CNN sent a message about the letter to the world, in which the regret is called ‘exceptional’. At the same time, the news channel notes the lack of real apologies. The article also refers to the statues of Leopold II that have been removed or defaced in recent weeks and the parliamentary truth commission to be set up this fall. The BBC also notes that the letter did not contain any real apologies.
– .
