Pierre Kompany on King Philippe’s “regrets”: “Let’s take this step forward”

The mayor of Ganshoren organized a ceremony to pay tribute to the 60 years of independence of the Congo last night in the basilica of Koekelberg.

Yesterday evening at 6 p.m., the mayor of Ganshoren Pierre Kompany (CDH) organized a ceremony in tribute to the sixty years of Congo’s independence in the basilica of Koekelberg. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of the Interior Pieter De Crem (CD&V).

As a preamble to the ceremony, Pierre Kompany answered questions from the regional channel BX1. “When the king presents his regrets after 60 years, I believe that one must be honest and be correct. To say oneself is an emotional gesture. I don’t know if you heard someone else say that to the royal palace “, explained the mayor of Ganshoren.

“When a human being is able to take an emotional look, it is already a lot and it is a step forward. Let us take the step forward. And let the Congo and Belgium walk in a human warmth that comes back to them”, concluded the mayor on BX1.

For the record, King Philippe expressed himself “deepest regrets” The day before yesterday in a letter to Congo published in several Belgian media. Here is the content:

“On this sixtieth anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I extend my warmest wishes to you and to the Congolese people.

This anniversary is an opportunity to renew our feelings of deep friendship and to rejoice in the intense cooperation that exists between our two countries in so many fields, and in particular in the medical field, which mobilizes us during this pandemic period. The health crisis strikes us amidst other concerns. The privileged partnership between Belgium and Congo is an asset to face it. On this national holiday, I wish to reaffirm our commitment by your side.

To further strengthen our ties and develop an even more fruitful friendship, we must be able to speak of our long common history in all truth and serenity.

Our history is made of common achievements but has also experienced painful episodes. At the time of the independent state of Congo acts of violence and cruelty were committed, which still weigh on our collective memory. The colonial period that followed also caused suffering and humiliation. I would like to express my deepest regrets for these injuries of the past, the pain of which is now revived by the discrimination still too present in our societies. I will continue to fight all forms of racism. I encourage the reflection that has been initiated by our parliament so that our memory is definitively pacified.

Global challenges demand that we look to the future in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. The fight for human dignity and for sustainable development requires joining forces. It is this ambition that I formulate for our two countries and for our two continents, African and European.

The current circumstances unfortunately do not allow me to go to your beautiful country, which I would so much like to know. I hope I will have the opportunity soon. “

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