Congo At 60: 'We Have Collectively Failed'

As people of the Democratic Republic of Congo celebrate 60 years of independence, they also reflected on their journey so far, and looking back, they note how little they have done, as Congo is stuck in a “vicious cycle of instability and poverty.”

This week, the king of Belgium, Philippe, expressed his regrets for the suffering the Congolese people had to endure under the reign of his country.

Speaking on Congo post-colonial era, the archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, said, “After 60 years of independence, the assessment is without doubt: we have shamefully failed. We have not been able to make Congo a more beautiful country than it was before."

He's blamed the failure of the country on “the succession of autocratic regimes” that ruled with “the culture of impunity” and oppressed the many poor and hungry citizens. 

He added, “We have collectively failed."

DRC President, Felix Tshisekedi said that “over 60 years, we have gradually allowed our political class to turn into a sort of mafia”.

“The average Congolese has lost 60 percent of their wealth in the last 60 years," he added.

“Our road network is only 10 percent of what it was in 1960 and the rail network 20 percent.”

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As people protest the systemic racism in the US, Belgium's racist past has also come into the light, with protesters taking down statues of King Leopold II.

In its show of support, the Belgian Government christened a street after Congolese independence champion, Patrice Lumumba. 

Speaking on the development, Patrice's son, Guy-Patrice Lumumba, said that it was "balm for the heart, it’s a recognition of our father’s fight”.