Reparation policies and their impact on the end of African dependency toward European colonizers: a perspective for the 21th century

Abstract

Considering the challenges faced by ex-colonized countries, and the apparent reluctance of Western powers to recognize the atrocities perpetuated during the second colonisation period, this paper focuses on the impact those reparation policies from Belgium could have on Democratic Republic of Congo regarding its development and its position in the international arena, using a both quantitative and qualitative methodology. By going through a postcolonial theoretical framework, analysing the circumstances of DRC’s colonisation and decolonization processes, as well as its current political, social and economic situation, this paper examines the definition of reparation and recognition policies and their application in the Germano-Namibian case to apply it to the current process of reparation policies’ implementation between Belgium and DRC. Meanwhile the overall impact would be tremendously positive for DRC, the lack of political will and popular support constitute barriers to their voting and establishment.