“In answer to what has long been awaited, the government in Brussels will announce before Parliament today a program of reforms which will open a decisive period for the future of our African population. I feel that i owe it to the memory of my illustrious predecessors, the founders and conciliators of our enterprise in Africa, to acquaint you personally with the charter and spirit of this program. The purpose of our presence on the African continent was defined by Leopold Ii: To open the backward countries to European civilization, summon their populations to emancipation, to freedom and to progress after having freed them from slavery, disease and misery, continuing these lofty aims, our firm resolution, today is to lead the Congolese people without harmful procrastination, but also without thoughtless haste toward independence, in prosperity and peace.” CongoBelgiumBelgian Congo Author:Baudouin I
“My country and I recognize with joy and emotion that the Congo has acceded on June 30, 1960, in full accord and friendships with Belgium, to independence and international sovereignty.” CongoBelgiumBelgian Congo Author:Baudouin I
“The principal dangers for you are the inexperiences of your people in government affairs, tribal fights which have done so much harm and must at all cost be stopped, and the attraction which certain of your regions can have for foreign powers which are ready to profit from the least sign of weakness.” CongoBelgiumBelgian Congo Author:Baudouin I
“When Leopold II began his great work, which today finds its culmination, he presented himself to you not as a conqueror but as a bringer of civilization. The Congo was endowed with railways, roads, shipping and air connections. Our medical facilities have freed you from many devastating diseases. Many well-equipped hospitals have been established. Agriculture has been improved and modernized. Great cities have been built. Living conditions and hygiene have improved. Mission and state schools have brought education on a large scale.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumBelgian Congo Author:Baudouin I
“The independence of the Congo is the crowning of the work conceived by the genius of King Leopold II undertaken by him with firm courage, and continued by Belgium with perseverance. Independence marks a decisive hour in the destinies not only of the Congo herself but- I don't hesitate to say-of the whole of Africa.” CongoBelgiumBelgian Congo Author:Baudouin I
“For eighty years Belgium has sent your land the best of her sons, first to deliver the Congo basin from the odious slave trade which was decimating its population. Later to bring together the different tribes which, though former enemies, are now preparing to form the greatest of the Independent states of Africa.” CongoBelgiumBelgian Congo Author:Baudouin I
“De ontvangst die ik van de Congolese bevolking heb ontvangen, vormt werkelijk het meest treffend bewijs van het vertrouwen dat België haar inspireert. Dat vertrouwen brengt voor ons de zwaarste verantwoordelijkheden voort. De essentiële vraag die zich nu in Congo stelt [...] betreft de menselijke relaties tussen blanken en zwarten. Het volstaat niet een land uit te rusten, het een wijze sociale wetgeving te schenken, het levensniveau van de bewoners te verbeteren ; de blanken en de zwarten moeten in hun dagelijkse betrekkingen het bewijs van zoveel mogelijk wederzijds begrip tonen. Dan zal het moment aangebroken zijn [...] om aan de Afrikaanse territoria een statuut te geven dat, voor het geluk van allen, de duurzaamheid van een werkelijke Belgisch-Congolese gemeenschap zal verzekeren...” CongoBelgiëBelgisch CongoBwana Kitoko Book:35 jaar Dialoog met de natie - Een keuze uit de koninklijke toespraken van 1951 tot 1986 Source: 35 jaar Dialoog met de natie - Een keuze uit de koninklijke toespraken van 1951 tot 1986