Best of Belgium

Belgium today is a Republican Monarchy, the power of the royalty is symbolic and the nation functions today as a democracy. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830. In the beginning of the XIX century, European countries lost their colonies in America and they moved their attention to Africa to tear it apart. Although most of the African land was divided between Britain and France, Belgium also got a piece of the cake. Leopold II from Belgium took over Congo under the name of his private company and his ruling was characterized by slavery and massacre. Per Leopold’s request, people in Congo were mutilated to justify the use of bullets. In just 30 years the population of Congo decreased by 50%. Although Congo eventually became independent, the country is still paying Belgium a loan for a large amount of money they never received. We wonder how much of the challenges that Congo faces today are attached to the horrors and tragedies suffered
under Belgium ruling.