Belgian apologies to the Congo
Belgian apologies to the Congo are the subject of a societal debate in Belgium over the expression of apologies for the role that country has played in the atrocities that have been committed in the Congo Free State (or the Independent State of Congo) and the Belgian Congo between 1885 and 1960, as well as the colony of Ruanda-Urundi (1924–1962). In the 21st century, several Belgian government agencies and representatives have apologised for various aspects of the Belgian colonial rule in the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, especially since 2018. Discussions continue on what kind of apologies for which matters would be appropriate and who should express them, or in which cases it would not be necessary. In addition, it is discussed how to best deal with the colonial material and intangible heritage, including statues, street names, and the organisation of museums. Political debate In Belgian public discourse, King Leopold II of Belgium (r. 1865–1909), who ruled the Congo Free State as his private property from 1885 to 1908, is generally held to bear the primary responsibility for the atrocities committed there in that colonial period. In the early 21st century, statues of Leopold II have been regularly defaced or vandalised