成人快手

King Philippe of Belgium, accompanied by his wife Queen Mathilde and a large delegation from government and business, is visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo.聽The present king's grandfather was Leopold II, and under his rule, millions died or were mutilated in the slave labour that was used to exploit the country's mineral wealth, and many objects were taken. The visit follows the king expressing what he called his "deepest regrets" two years ago for the damage wrought by colonisation in a letter to Congolese President F茅lix Tshisekedi. He has handed over the first of some 84,000 artefacts looted during the colonial era that Belgium has agreed to return - a mask, called Kakungu, that was previously exhibited at Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa.

His aunt Princess Esmeralda explains that this is a "first step". She says the government is planning to repatriate many more pieces in the future. She believes that a "full apology" should be given, and how financial reparations could be interpreted will be discussed as a part of ongoing conversations between the two countries.

"We have to face our past, with all its problems, with all its crimes."

Photo: President F茅lix Tshisekedi accepts the return of the Kakungu mask at the DR Congo's National Museum Credit: AFP

Show less