Understanding the Congo–Rwanda Conflict with Colette Braeckman

Discover Colette Braeckman, long-time correspondent for Le Soir and one of Belgium’s leading specialists on Central Africa, as she shares her analysis of the Congo–Rwanda conflict and its deeper historical, political, and international dimensions. Recorded during an interview following her talk Understanding the Congo–Rwanda Conflict at TheMerode, this in-depth interview explores the legacy of colonialism in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Braeckman reflects on Belgium’s unresolved relationship with its colonial past and the contrasting approaches to memory and diplomacy between Belgium and France. In a context marked by renewed violence in DRC, humanitarian crises, and international inertia, she examines the role Belgium and Europe could play today in supporting stability and justice without reproducing neocolonial logics. She also addresses the responsibility of national and international media in shaping public perception of African crises. This conversation offers a clear, grounded perspective on why these crises persist, how global indifference takes shape and what paths forward might look like. Topics covered: • The impact of colonial legacy on current institutions and conflicts in the DRC and Rwanda • Belgium’s difficulty in confronting its colonial past • Differences in memory politics and diplomacy between Belgium and France • The role of Belgium and Europe in today’s Central African crises • Media responsibility in shaping perceptions of African conflicts • International inertia in the face of major humanitarian and political crises Subscribe to TheMerode for more conversations and interviews. YouTube ► @themerode9755 LinkedIn ►   / themerode   Instagram ►   / themerode.brussels