Democratic Republic of Congo women living in Belgium have called on King Philippe to take action over the ongoing injustices perpetrated by Félix Tshisekedi and his government back home.
In a letter addressed to King Philippe, Congolese women have called on Belgium, considering the long historical ties between itself the DR Congo, to take interest in the unfortunate happenings in the DRC.
The women have bemoaned the impudent illegal exploitation of minerals by Tshisekedi and members of his family who live lavishly at expense average Congolese population who live in abject poverty.
The deterioration of the security situation in eastern DR Congo and the Tshisekedi regime’s complicity towards finding a solution to end the fighting is another major concern highlighted to King Philippe by the Congolese female population in Brussels.
The Congolese mothers also complained about the severe violation of human rights through indiscriminate policies such as the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty as well as unjust imprisonments of activists and opposition leaders that denounce inhumane acts of the Tshisekedi regime.
The letter reads:
OPEN LETTER FROM CONGOLESE MOMS LIVING IN BELGIUM TO SA MAJESTY PHILIP I, KING OF THE BELGIAN, AND TO THE BELGIAN PEOPLE.
Your Majesty,
We, Congolese women residing in Belgium, would like to draw your attention to the unacceptable deterioration of the situation in our country, the Republic Democratic Republic of Congo. As women and mothers, we carry the weight of life and our duty is to preserve this precious gift that God has given us. That involves nurturing hope for a better future for our children, just like you legitimately aspire to a bright future for your compatriots.
We are aware of the interest you have in the Congolese people, due to historical ties that unite your family to our nation, as well as relationships between our two peoples. Despite the festive and colorful atmosphere that marked your visit in June 2022, you will not cannot ignore the immense distress in which our people are plunged.
Everywhere, the Congolese welcomed you with enthusiasm. They saw in you nephew of Bwana Kitoko, your uncle, King Baudouin, whose memory is engraved in the memory of our elders. We thank you for your attention to our cry of distress.
Majesty,
Today, hope for our country and the future of our children is fading. The cause The main reason for our despair lies in the blind support that Belgium gives to Congolese leaders. The esteem and friendship that you show towards President TSHISEKEDI are widely recognized. Félix TSHISEKEDI does not hide his aVection and consideration that you give him, to the point where he often evokes the link almost family that unites you.
No personality has to date demonstrated so much pusillanimity to the point of discovering with such lightness your meetings at the Palace and the secrets of the crown. Furthermore, it is well established that he and his family benefit from goodwill of the highest political authorities of the Kingdom.
We who live in Belgium have seen, in barely six years, the striking evolution of the lifestyle of this family whose members yesterday regularly benefited from social benefits and aid that your country grants to its most active citizens deprived.
Today, these former poor people lead a lavish life, to the detriment of the people Congolese.
These few men and women, who have most often retained the Belgian nationality, which you cannot ignore, take advantage of wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo, by exploiting the resources extracted from mines and quarries where thousands of children work in harsh conditions inhumane.
We call for your awareness and resolute action to put an end to this injustice.
Majesty,
It is difficult not to notice that Félix TSHISEKEDI has metamorphosed into a potentate who brings his people to their knees. Since his fraudulent accession to power in 2018 and the scandalous maintenance of his post in 2023, the Congolese Head of State and his family have put the DRC under cut adjusted. Their enrichment is due to the methods of the mafia: public markets rigged, influence peddling, monetizing access to lucrative functions, and kickbacks are part of their daily life.
The proponents of this power are therefore mostly of Belgian nationality, as are some of their political allies. Part of their fortune is also housed in Belgium, without the authorities of Kingdom does not seem to be shaken. How can we morally justify this situation? We wonder about the position of the Belgian Royalty, so deeply attached to Christian values and to morality, when we remember the crisis which pushed King Baudouin to take his distances from Marshal Mobutu.
What conclusions can we draw from the dubious relationships between your monarchy and individuals, of Belgian nationality, who plunder an already bloodless country, without any reaction from the Belgian authorities? Can this silence not be interpreted as encouragement, or even as complicity?
Majesty,
Since the coming to power of Félix TSHISEKEDI, our country has lost 116 communes which fell into the hands of the rebellion outside the authority of the state. More than five million Congolese live in displaced persons camps in inhumane conditions. Hundreds of children are deprived of everything. During this time, the war in the eastern provinces of the country has become a business.
She is the opportunity for power to continue its enrichment thanks to diversions carried out on the arms and military equipment market while soldiers are sent to the front defenseless and on empty stomachs. The enrichment of a handful of political leaders and officers who exploit armed groups and extremists could lead one to believe that no one wants to find a real lasting peace solution to the crisis in the East.
Majesty,
Before your eyes and those of Belgium, Félix TSHISEKEDI transformed into a tyrant cruel and greedy, under a falsely good-natured appearance. Under his rule, unarmed civilian demonstrators were killed in Lubumbashi, reason that they were from the Bakata Katanga group, members of the traditional Church Bundu dia Kongo were massacred in Songololo.
Followers of the Wazalendo Church, were massacred by the Republican Guard which comes under the sole authority of the President of the Republic in Goma. About forty young people belonging to a political party, Unafec, were massacred in Lubumbashi.
There are a few months, in Kilwa and Luilu, in Katanga, disarmed civilians were again slaughtered.
As if it did not happen, an incredible carnage was perpetrated in Makala penitentiary center, in the heart of Kinshasa, where several hundred prisoners lost their lives. Bodies were hidden, making identification of the victims of tragic complexity.
According to the United Nations Joint Office for Human Rights (UNBCHR), 269 female detainees were victims of rape.
Human rights defenders face constant harassment, ranging up to kidnapping and imprisonment. Among them, MWAMISYO NDUGU KING of Lucha was arrested in Goma, while Jack SINZAHERA and Gloire SAASITA from Véranda Mutsanga, as well as Alain SIWAKO, Jean Paul NGAGHANGONDI and Fiston ISAMBIRO, are currently imprisoned. Unfair trials have been mounted against political opponents, such as Mike MUKEBAYI, Jean-Marc KABUND, Seth KIKUNI and Daniel SAFU, who are languishing in prison in undignified conditions.
The military prison also detains civilians, who remain incarcerated without having been tried. Prisoners there suffer acts of torture and degrading sexual abuse. The exploitation of state services to destroy all forms of opposition has took on the appearance of a witch hunt.
The case of Moise KATUMBI, former governor of Katanga, threatened with prosecution for having responded to the cry of distress of isolated rural populations has become emblematic.
Majesty,
By lifting the moratorium on the death penalty, Félix TSHISEKEDI brings back the Republic Democratic Congo in an era of unacceptable barbarism.
Since the moratorium was lifted in February, military judicial authorities have pronounced at least 128 death sentences, including 37 in Kinshasa, among which finds Jean-Jacques WONDO.
In a poignant letter, our bishops reaffirmed that life is sacred. This moral drift is so alarming that the princes of the Church have expressed concern by the total absence of humanity in the attitude of the country’s authorities.
Majesty
The regime of Mr. TSHISEKEDI, for whom Belgium rolls out the red carpet until the royal palace, is compromised in the assassination of opponents.
Belgium, which grants asylum for political refugees victims of the intolerance of Félix TSHISEKEDI, cannot therefore ignore the liberticidal and murderous character of his government.
A complaint was filed in Belgium against Christian NDAYWEL, Belgian national and notorious actor in the service of this regime, in connection with the assassination of the former minister Cherub OKENDE.
In addition, NDAYWEL is the subject of a complaint from opponent Franck DIONGO, beneficiary of political asylum in Belgium, who was a victim of detention illegal and torture at the hands of this same national.
Majesty,
Social neglect, despair and the absence of favorable prospects, combined with the various armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, constitute real time bombs.
Their explosion could ignite the entire African continent. The incompetence of Mr. TSHISEKEDI, the greed of his regime and his negligence have seriously eroded the fabric of national unity.
As so rightly recalled by all recently His Eminence Cardinal Fridolin AMBONGO, the moral bankruptcy and Congo’s material resources are unprecedented.
We have the impression that the country is doomed to imminent implosion. The ruling family seems indifferent to the fate of the 100 millions of Congolese, knowing that she has already found a refuge: Belgium.
They go there will install with impunity! For all of us who have faith in Democracy and freedom and the values of justice that drives you, this prospect is revolting.
Majesty
Your friendships cannot take precedence over the Congolese tragedy. The Congolese expect the necessary sacrifices from you, just like your Uncle the King Baudouin did not hesitate to do so in the past for the honor of his fellow citizens.
Majesty, Dear Belgian People, The future is watching you, the pages of tomorrow remain to be written. Don’t let it pass your opportunity to become the face of hope and justice for millions of Congolese.
At this time when the world needs peace and a equitable and responsible sharing of natural resources, register your name pantheon of great men and great peoples who knew, in moments decisive, rise above constraints to embrace the greatness of their historical responsibility.
Your responsibility extends far beyond the borders of your country. It binds you not only to your compatriots, but also to the Congolese people, to God and to history.
