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Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference

February 23, 2023

The Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference (French: Table ronde belgo-congolaise) was a meeting organized in two parts[1] in 1960 in Brussels (January 20 – February 20[2] and April 26 – May 16[3]) between on the one side representatives of the Congolese political class and chiefs (French: chefs coutumiers) and on the other side Belgian political and business leaders.[2] The round table meetings led to the adoption of sixteen resolutions on the future of the Belgian Congo and its institutional reforms. With a broad consensus, the date for independence was set on June 30, 1960.

Opening meeting of the Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference on 20 January 1960

Background

The idea for a round table conference was first formulated in 1959 by the Congolese Labour Party (PTC, French: Parti Travailliste Congolais).[4] It gathered support from the Bakongo Alliance (ABAKO) and the Belgian Socialist Party (PSB).[4] The idea of a bilateral conference aimed at organising the independence of the Belgian colony was in turn adopted by the Minister of the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi, August de Schryver, who was also the leader of the Christian Social Party, Belgium's largest political party at the time.[5] Several factors contributed to this idea taking shape, including:

  • Grassroots activism around popular figures like Joseph Kasa-Vubu and Patrice Lumumba[6]
  • The riots of January 1959 in Léopoldville,[5] the worsening security climate[4] and the rising feeling of insecurity among colonial settlers.[7]
  • The general sentiment of the inevitable and irreversible process of the decolonization of Africa.[8]
  • Deteriorating local economy (the public debt of the colony rose from 4 to 46 billion Belgian franc between 1949 and 1960).[9]
  • The failure of King Baudouin's second visit to the Belgian Congo in December 1959 which didn't allow the political tensions to be reduced.[9]

The creation of a large scale Belgian-Congolese dialogue was also compatible with a speech from Belgian King Baudouin broadcast on January 13, 1959. Where he expressed the desire to "lead the Congolese populations, without harmful procrastination, but also without thoughtless haste, toward independence, in prosperity, and in peace."[10]

On January 3, 1960, the Belgian government announced it was convening a round table conference with the goal of helping the Congolese transition from colonial rule to independence.[3]

The Congolese delegations

A number of traditional chiefs (chefs coutumiers) were invited to the Round Table Conference to reduce the proportion of key independence figures in the delegations.[11] The following is a complete list of the Congolese delegates and their Belgian advisers to the first conference:[12][a]

Political parties

 
Kasa-Vubu seated at the Conference
 
Jean Bolikango seated at the Conference
 
Patrice Lumumba with members of the MNC-L delegation

Tribal chieftains

  • Équateur Province
    • Effective members - Jean-Médard Ilumbe, Eugéne N'Djoku, Innocent Abamba
    • Deputy members - Léon Engulu, Mwanga, Mosamba
  • Kasaï Province
    • Effective members - Jonas Mangolo, Emeri Penesenga
    • Deputy members - Michel Ohanga, Louis Tshimbambe, Emery Wafwana, Katomba (from 13 February)
  • Katanga Province
    • Effective members - Paul Bako Ditende, Antoine Mwenda-Munongo
    • Deputy members - Léon Ilunga, Kasembe, Kabembe
  • Kivu Province
    • Effective members - Henry Simba, Omari Penemizenga
    • Deputy members - Joseph Tshomba
  • Léopoldville Province
    • Effective members - Michel Mputela
    • Deputy members - Henri Ilenda
  • Orientale Province
    • Effective members - François Kupa, Sabiti Mabe
    • Deputy members - Busimbo Yaele, Joachim Bateko, Joseph Lionga

Advisers

  • J. Maisin
  • G. Mineur

Other

Edouard Bayona, a Congolese attaché to the Belgian government, was appointed to attend the conference.[13] Journalist and future Congolese dictator Joseph-Désiré Mobutu attended the conference as Patrice Lumumba's secretary.[11]

Belgian delegation

On the Belgian side, among others, the following people were present:[11]

Étienne Davignon, future vice-president of the European Commission, was also at the conference attached to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Lumumba’s eligibility and arrival

Important information regarding the Congolese delegation is the fact that Patrice Emery Lumumba was part of the original delegation. He was in prison. It’s Joseph Kasa-Vubu who put pressure on the Belgian government and demanded the release of Lumumba from prison so that he can join the original delegation in Belgium. Kasa-Vubu was the only person who fought for the release of Lumumba. Hence, the say “Kasa-Vubu made Lumumba as one of the fathers of the Belgian Congo independence… through his released from prison and his subsequent participation in the Round Table” (Nzita Na Nzita). In short “Et Kasa-Vubu ressuscita l’homme politique Lumumba” (Nzita Na Nzita). This is one of the reason Lumumba backed Kasa-Vubu candidacy for the presidency even though Abako was third in the May election (1960). The adage is simple “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours in turn” which nowadays can be interpreted as a “win-win situation” for both of them Kasa-Vubu and Lumumba. In this respect, the Round Table organized a vote[14] that consisted of fourteen questions. Question 9 dealt with Lumumba’s case since His criminal record was already tainted as he was already convicted by the colonial justice for embezzlement of public funds of the PTT (Telegraph and Telephone Post) of the city of Stanleyville. Question 9 was formulated as follows:” Is it necessary to provide for a softening to the exclusion provisions at eligibility (amendment written by ABAKO-PSA-MNC-PP so as to enable Lumumba's eligibility?” The result was as follows: Out of the 11 political groups, six political groups voted "yes". They included Cartel (Abako; M. N.C.-Kalonji; P.S.A.; Parti du Peuple; F.G.C.et Abazi), Cerea, M. N.C.-Lumumba, Assoreco, Cartel Katangais (Balubakat-Fedeko-Atcar) et Union Congolaise. Four political groups voted against the motion "no". They were P.N.P., Conakat, Alliance Rurale Progressiste (Kivu), and Délégation des chefs coutumiers. One political group, Union Congolaise, abstained.

Ruanda-Urundi delegation

Representatives from Ruanda and Urundi attended in preparation for the independence of their respective territories.[15]

Ruanda

Urundi

Prelude

On the eve of the conference the Congolese delegations held a series of meetings. Concern was expressed by Congolese students in Brussels that disunity in the Congo would prevent the delegates from taking advantage of Belgium's tenuous position. As a result, almost all of the delegations resolved to form a "Common Front" (Front Commun) to present their demands at the conference.[16] That evening the Common Front released its first statement. It was demanded that the negotiations be more than consultative; all decisions reached should be made binding on the Belgian government. It also required that the Congo should immediately be granted independence. De Schryver and the Belgian delegation were shocked by the joint statement, having underestimated the full extent of Congolese discontent and their willingness to cooperate across party lines.[17]

First conference

The Round Table Conference was opened on January 20 with a speech by Belgian Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens.[18]

Results

At the end of the conference, the following notable resolutions were adopted:[1]

  • The declaration of independence of the Congo on June 30, 1960.
  • The principles of the Congolese constitution, voted by the Belgian Parliament in May 1960.
  • The structural organisation of the state and the separation of powers.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Some individuals are only identified by their surname.

Citations

  1. ^ a b Joseph Kamanda Kimona-Mbinga, "La stabilité du Congo-Kinshasa: enjeux et perspectives" 2004
  2. ^ a b Réseau documentaire international sur la Région des Grands Lacs, "Des «Dialogues» belgo-congolais aux Dialogues intercongolais 1960-2001: À la recherche de l'unité et de la légitimité en R.D.C."
  3. ^ a b Jules Gérard-Libois, Jean Heinen, "Belgique Congo - 1960" 1993
  4. ^ a b c Joseph Mbungu Nkandamana, "L'indépendance du Congo belge et l'avènement de Lumumba" 2008
  5. ^ a b Bernard Laba Nzuzi, "L'équation congolaise: visiter le passé afin de mieux s'armer pour l'avenir " 2007
  6. ^ World Perspective Monde - Université de Sherbrooke, "Proclamation de l'indépendance du Congo Belge" 2007
  7. ^ Pierre Stéphany, "Les années 60 en Belgique" 2006
  8. ^ Persee - Revues scientifiques, "L'avènement du Congo belge à l'indépendance"
  9. ^ a b Jean I. N. Kanyarwunga, "République démocratique du Congo: les générations condamnées : déliquescence"
  10. ^ The political future of the Belgian Congo; the royal message and the government's declaration of January 13, 1959 (1959). Office de l'information et des relations publiques pour le Congo belge et le Ruanda-Urundi. 1959.
  11. ^ a b c Le Potentiel, "La Table-Ronde de Bruxelles avait déjoué le plan Van Bilsen" 2006
  12. ^ The Belgo-Congolese Round Table 1960, pp. 62–63.
  13. ^ Makombo 1998, p. 436.
  14. ^ https://www.cairn.info/revue-courrier-hebdomadaire-du-crisp-1960-12-page-1.htm
  15. ^ Institute 1960, p. 525.
  16. ^ Hoskyns 1965, p. 37.
  17. ^ Hoskyns 1965, p. 38.
  18. ^ Le Potentiel, "La table ronde de Bruxelles comparée à la conférence nationale souveraine" 1995

References

  • The Belgo-Congolese Round Table: The historic days of February 1960. Brussels: C. Van Cortenbergh. 1960. OCLC 20742268.
  • Hoskyns, Catherine (1965). The Congo Since Independence: January 1960 – December 1961. London: Oxford University Press.
  • Makombo, Mutamba (1998). Du Congo belge au Congo indépendant, 1940-1960: émergence des "évolués" et genèse du nationalisme (in French). Publications de l'Institut de formation et d'études politiques.
  • Institute, Egmont (1960). RÉSOLUTIONS DE LA CONFÉRENCE DE LA TABLE RONDE ÉCONOMIQUE LE 16 MAI 1960 (in French). Chronique de Politique Étrangère.

February 23, 2023
belgo, congolese, round, table, conference, french, table, ronde, belgo, congolaise, meeting, organized, parts, 1960, brussels, january, february, april, between, side, representatives, congolese, political, class, chiefs, french, chefs, coutumiers, other, sid. The Belgo Congolese Round Table Conference French Table ronde belgo congolaise was a meeting organized in two parts 1 in 1960 in Brussels January 20 February 20 2 and April 26 May 16 3 between on the one side representatives of the Congolese political class and chiefs French chefs coutumiers and on the other side Belgian political and business leaders 2 The round table meetings led to the adoption of sixteen resolutions on the future of the Belgian Congo and its institutional reforms With a broad consensus the date for independence was set on June 30 1960 Opening meeting of the Belgo Congolese Round Table Conference on 20 January 1960 Contents 1 Background 2 The Congolese delegations 2 1 Political parties 2 2 Tribal chieftains 2 2 1 Advisers 2 3 Other 3 Belgian delegation 4 Lumumba s eligibility and arrival 5 Ruanda Urundi delegation 5 1 Ruanda 5 2 Urundi 6 Prelude 7 First conference 8 Results 9 See also 10 Notes 11 Citations 12 ReferencesBackground EditThe idea for a round table conference was first formulated in 1959 by the Congolese Labour Party PTC French Parti Travailliste Congolais 4 It gathered support from the Bakongo Alliance ABAKO and the Belgian Socialist Party PSB 4 The idea of a bilateral conference aimed at organising the independence of the Belgian colony was in turn adopted by the Minister of the Belgian Congo and Ruanda Urundi August de Schryver who was also the leader of the Christian Social Party Belgium s largest political party at the time 5 Several factors contributed to this idea taking shape including Grassroots activism around popular figures like Joseph Kasa Vubu and Patrice Lumumba 6 The riots of January 1959 in Leopoldville 5 the worsening security climate 4 and the rising feeling of insecurity among colonial settlers 7 The general sentiment of the inevitable and irreversible process of the decolonization of Africa 8 Deteriorating local economy the public debt of the colony rose from 4 to 46 billion Belgian franc between 1949 and 1960 9 The failure of King Baudouin s second visit to the Belgian Congo in December 1959 which didn t allow the political tensions to be reduced 9 The creation of a large scale Belgian Congolese dialogue was also compatible with a speech from Belgian King Baudouin broadcast on January 13 1959 Where he expressed the desire to lead the Congolese populations without harmful procrastination but also without thoughtless haste toward independence in prosperity and in peace 10 On January 3 1960 the Belgian government announced it was convening a round table conference with the goal of helping the Congolese transition from colonial rule to independence 3 The Congolese delegations EditA number of traditional chiefs chefs coutumiers were invited to the Round Table Conference to reduce the proportion of key independence figures in the delegations 11 The following is a complete list of the Congolese delegates and their Belgian advisers to the first conference 12 a Political parties Edit Kasa Vubu seated at the Conference Alliance des Bakongo ABAKO Effective members Edmond Nzeza Nlandu Joseph Kasa Vubu Daniel Kanza Deputy members Philibert Luyeye Simon Nzeza Emmanuel Kini Joseph Yumbu Advisors J van Bilsen Alliance des Bayanzi ABAZI Effective members Gaston Midu Deputy members Wenceslas Mbueny Alliance Rural Progressiste ARP Effective members Gervais Bahizi Sangara Deputy members Teodomie Nzamu Kwereka Albert Kalinda Advisers Coulet Association Generale des Baluba du Katanga BALUBAKAT Effective members Jason Sendwe Deputy members Remy Mwamba Advisers A Doucy Jean Bolikango seated at the Conference Association des Ressortisants du Haut Congo ASSORECO Effective members Jean Bolikango Deputy members Armand Bobanga Advisers Victor Promontorio Centre du Regroupement Africain CEREA Effective members Anicet Kashamura later replaced by Jean Chrysostome Weregemere Deputy members Marcel Bisukiro Advisers J Terfve Confederation des associations tribales du Katanga CONAKAT Effective members Moise Tshombe Jean Baptiste Kibwe Deputy members Charles Mutaka Francois Kasongo later transferred and replaced by Prosper Muyumba Advisers Humblet Federation Generale du Congo FGC Effective members Henri Kasongo Advisers Lacourt Mouvement National Congolais Kalonji MNC K Effective members Albert Kalonji Joseph Ileo until 15 January Paul Ngandu from 16 January Deputy members Joseph Ngalula Muamba Pierre Missa Kabu Advisers Jules Gerard Libois Patrice Lumumba with members of the MNC L delegation Mouvement National Congolais Lumumba MNC L Effective members Patrice Lumumba Joseph Kasongo Jean Marie Yumba Deputy members Sebastien Ikolo Jean Pierre Finant Bruno Bukasa Advisers E Loliki Parti National du Progres PNP Effective members Jerome Anany fr Jean Marie Kititwa Alphonse Ilunga Albert Delvaux Antoine Lopes Andre Anekonzapa Paul Bolya Andre Marie Edindali Ferdinand Essendja Leopold Likinda Sylvestre Mudingayi Deputy members Dominique Mubanga Joseph Kulumba Lius Witshima Michel Atoka Pierre Mombele Ignoce Kanga Revocato Kapepa Gilbert Pongo Romain Telu Victor Kande Ekwe Advisers H Simonet Lebrun Cambier Parti du Peuple PP Effective members Alphonse Nguvulu Deputy members Antoine Mandungu Advisers F Perin Parti Solidaire Africain PSA Effective members Cleophas Kamitatu Sylvain Kama Justin Matiti Deputy members Valentin Lubuma Christian Mafuta Advisers Spitaels Evrard Union Congolaise Effective members Gabriel Kitenge Deputy members Joseph Shango Advisers A RubbensTribal chieftains Edit Equateur Province Effective members Jean Medard Ilumbe Eugene N Djoku Innocent Abamba Deputy members Leon Engulu Mwanga Mosamba Kasai Province Effective members Jonas Mangolo Emeri Penesenga Deputy members Michel Ohanga Louis Tshimbambe Emery Wafwana Katomba from 13 February Katanga Province Effective members Paul Bako Ditende Antoine Mwenda Munongo Deputy members Leon Ilunga Kasembe Kabembe Kivu Province Effective members Henry Simba Omari Penemizenga Deputy members Joseph Tshomba Leopoldville Province Effective members Michel Mputela Deputy members Henri Ilenda Orientale Province Effective members Francois Kupa Sabiti Mabe Deputy members Busimbo Yaele Joachim Bateko Joseph LiongaAdvisers Edit J Maisin G MineurOther Edit Edouard Bayona a Congolese attache to the Belgian government was appointed to attend the conference 13 Journalist and future Congolese dictator Joseph Desire Mobutu attended the conference as Patrice Lumumba s secretary 11 Belgian delegation EditOn the Belgian side among others the following people were present 11 Gaston Eyskens Prime Minister Albert Lilar vice Prime Minister August De Schryver Minister of the Belgian Congo and Ruanda Urundi Arthur Gilson Defence Minister Pierre Harmel Minister for the Civil ServiceEtienne Davignon future vice president of the European Commission was also at the conference attached to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign AffairsLumumba s eligibility and arrival EditImportant information regarding the Congolese delegation is the fact that Patrice Emery Lumumba was part of the original delegation He was in prison It s Joseph Kasa Vubu who put pressure on the Belgian government and demanded the release of Lumumba from prison so that he can join the original delegation in Belgium Kasa Vubu was the only person who fought for the release of Lumumba Hence the say Kasa Vubu made Lumumba as one of the fathers of the Belgian Congo independence through his released from prison and his subsequent participation in the Round Table Nzita Na Nzita In short Et Kasa Vubu ressuscita l homme politique Lumumba Nzita Na Nzita This is one of the reason Lumumba backed Kasa Vubu candidacy for the presidency even though Abako was third in the May election 1960 The adage is simple you scratch my back I ll scratch yours in turn which nowadays can be interpreted as a win win situation for both of them Kasa Vubu and Lumumba In this respect the Round Table organized a vote 14 that consisted of fourteen questions Question 9 dealt with Lumumba s case since His criminal record was already tainted as he was already convicted by the colonial justice for embezzlement of public funds of the PTT Telegraph and Telephone Post of the city of Stanleyville Question 9 was formulated as follows Is it necessary to provide for a softening to the exclusion provisions at eligibility amendment written by ABAKO PSA MNC PP so as to enable Lumumba s eligibility The result was as follows Out of the 11 political groups six political groups voted yes They included Cartel Abako M N C Kalonji P S A Parti du Peuple F G C et Abazi Cerea M N C Lumumba Assoreco Cartel Katangais Balubakat Fedeko Atcar et Union Congolaise Four political groups voted against the motion no They were P N P Conakat Alliance Rurale Progressiste Kivu and Delegation des chefs coutumiers One political group Union Congolaise abstained Ruanda Urundi delegation EditRepresentatives from Ruanda and Urundi attended in preparation for the independence of their respective territories 15 Ruanda Edit Gaspard Cyimana 1st Minister of Finance of Rwanda Prosper Bwanakweli Founder and President of RADER partyUrundi Edit Andre Muhirwa 3rd Prime Minister of Burundi Joseph Bamina 6th Prime Minister of BurundiPrelude EditOn the eve of the conference the Congolese delegations held a series of meetings Concern was expressed by Congolese students in Brussels that disunity in the Congo would prevent the delegates from taking advantage of Belgium s tenuous position As a result almost all of the delegations resolved to form a Common Front Front Commun to present their demands at the conference 16 That evening the Common Front released its first statement It was demanded that the negotiations be more than consultative all decisions reached should be made binding on the Belgian government It also required that the Congo should immediately be granted independence De Schryver and the Belgian delegation were shocked by the joint statement having underestimated the full extent of Congolese discontent and their willingness to cooperate across party lines 17 First conference EditThe Round Table Conference was opened on January 20 with a speech by Belgian Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens 18 Results EditAt the end of the conference the following notable resolutions were adopted 1 The declaration of independence of the Congo on June 30 1960 The principles of the Congolese constitution voted by the Belgian Parliament in May 1960 The structural organisation of the state and the separation of powers See also EditIndependance Cha Cha independence song created in conjunction with the conference Table Ronde a song written about the conferenceNotes Edit Some individuals are only identified by their surname Citations Edit a b Joseph Kamanda Kimona Mbinga La stabilite du Congo Kinshasa enjeux et perspectives 2004 a b Reseau documentaire international sur la Region des Grands Lacs Des Dialogues belgo congolais aux Dialogues intercongolais 1960 2001 A la recherche de l unite et de la legitimite en R D C a b Jules Gerard Libois Jean Heinen Belgique Congo 1960 1993 a b c Joseph Mbungu Nkandamana L independance du Congo belge et l avenement de Lumumba 2008 a b Bernard Laba Nzuzi L equation congolaise visiter le passe afin de mieux s armer pour l avenir 2007 World Perspective Monde Universite de Sherbrooke Proclamation de l independance du Congo Belge 2007 Pierre Stephany Les annees 60 en Belgique 2006 Persee Revues scientifiques L avenement du Congo belge a l independance a b Jean I N Kanyarwunga Republique democratique du Congo les generations condamnees deliquescence The political future of the Belgian Congo the royal message and the government s declaration of January 13 1959 1959 Office de l information et des relations publiques pour le Congo belge et le Ruanda Urundi 1959 a b c Le Potentiel La Table Ronde de Bruxelles avait dejoue le plan Van Bilsen 2006 The Belgo Congolese Round Table 1960 pp 62 63 Makombo 1998 p 436 https www cairn info revue courrier hebdomadaire du crisp 1960 12 page 1 htm Institute 1960 p 525 Hoskyns 1965 p 37 Hoskyns 1965 p 38 Le Potentiel La table ronde de Bruxelles comparee a la conference nationale souveraine 1995References EditThe Belgo Congolese Round Table The historic days of February 1960 Brussels C Van Cortenbergh 1960 OCLC 20742268 Hoskyns Catherine 1965 The Congo Since Independence January 1960 December 1961 London Oxford University Press Makombo Mutamba 1998 Du Congo belge au Congo independant 1940 1960 emergence des evolues et genese du nationalisme in French Publications de l Institut de formation et d etudes politiques Institute Egmont 1960 RESOLUTIONS DE LA CONFERENCE DE LA TABLE RONDE ECONOMIQUE LE 16 MAI 1960 in French Chronique de Politique Etrangere Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Belgo Congolese Round Table Conference amp oldid 1114883279, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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