Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference

The idea for a round table conference was first formulated in 1959 by the Congolese Labour Party (PTC, ). It gathered support from the Bakongo Alliance (ABAKO) and the Belgian Socialist Party (PSB). Several factors contributed to this idea taking shape, including: • Grassroots activism around popular figures like Joseph Kasa-Vubu and Patrice Lumumba • The Léopoldville riots in January 1959, • The general sentiment of the inevitable and irreversible process of the decolonization of Africa. • Deteriorating local economy (the public debt of the colony rose from 4 to 46 billion Belgian franc between 1949 and 1960). • 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. 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. == 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. == Belgian delegation ==

On the Belgian side, among others, the following people were present: • 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 Service 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==

One piece of 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 Kasa-Vubu and Lumumba. In this respect, the Round Table organized a vote 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. Ruanda • Gaspard Cyimana, 1st Minister of Finance of Rwanda • Prosper Bwanakweli, Founder and President of RADER party Urundi • André Muhirwa, 3rd Prime Minister of Burundi • Joseph Bamina, 6th Prime Minister of Burundi == 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. 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. == First conference ==

The Round Table Conference was opened on January 20 with a speech by Belgian Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens. == Results ==

At the end of the conference, the following notable resolutions were adopted: • 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 ==