Belgian king expresses ‘deepest regrets’ to Congolese

By JEAN-YVES KAMALE
Associated Press

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Belgium’s King Philippe has expressed his “deepest regrets” to Congolese lawmakers for abuses committed during colonial rule. The Belgian king and queen are making a six-day visit to the former colony amid reconciliation efforts. In his speech on Wednesday, Philippe said Belgian colonial rule had been “marked by paternalism, discrimination and racism.” Those comments echoed similar ones made two years ago on the 60th anniversary of Congo’s independence from Belgium. The king also bestowed a top honor on the last known surviving Congolese veteran of World War II. Former Corporal Albert Kunyuku, now 100, had enlisted at 18. Critics of Belgium’s king said his apologies should come with reparations for the Congolese people.