Belgian King Philippe to begin visit to DR Congo

BBC-An upcoming visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo by the Belgian king and queen is really just a “business trip”, an opposition Congolese politician has told the BBC.

“It’s a big thing, I think, for the government, for the regime and it’s going to maybe put some spotlight on the country. But for most Congolese and me included we see it as a business trip,” said Angèle Makombo of the opposition League of Congolese Democrats.

“Belgium has a lot of interests in [DR Congo] and now they are coming to renew these business interests.”

It will be King Philippe’s first trip to the country’s former colony since becoming the monarch in 2013.

Two years ago, he expressed regret for the monarchy’s colonial record.

Millions of people in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo were murdered under the reign of King Leopold II in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

The Congolese foreign minister, Christophe Lutundula, described it as a visit of reconciliation.

The post Belgian King Philippe to begin visit to DR Congo appeared first on .