On 11th November 2023, King Philippe participated in the annual Armistice Day commemoration held at the monument of the Unknown Soldier in Brussels. The ceremony included laying a

wreath and lighting the eternal flame at the memorial, situated at the base of the Congress Column.

This military event pays tribute to those who lost their lives in both World Wars and soldiers killed in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions since 1945. The significance of the date, 11th November, lies in its historical connection to the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

Simultaneously, State Secretary for Equal Opportunities, Marie-Colline Leroy, marked the occasion by participating in a commemoration at the Belgian monument dedicated to Congolese soldiers in Schaerbeek. This marked the federal government's inaugural commemoration of the Congolese soldiers who fought in World War I on Armistice Day.

Belgium deployed approximately 300,000 troops on the German East African front, present-day Tanzania. Research estimates casualties at 29,000 dead, including nearly 1,900 Congolese soldiers. The Battle of Tabora, a crucial engagement in which Congolese forces triumphed over German colonies, holds historical significance. The Allies' capture of Tabora in September 1916 marked a strategic victory.

The Bakushinta association, dedicated to promoting and enriching Congolese cultures, organized the gathering in Schaerbeek. Marie-Colline Leroy emphasized the Belgian government's commitment to recognizing the crucial role played by Congolese soldiers during the First World War and honoring their dignity. She stated, "It is our duty to fill in the gaps in history by accounting for all the victims of the two world wars."

In Ypres, traditional commemorations unfolded next to the Menin Gate, undergoing restoration. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attended the ceremony, and Emmily Talpe, Mayor of Ypres, highlighted the city's central role in Armistice Day commemorations. De Croo emphasized the enduring relevance of the message of peace and the need to cherish it in the face of contemporary conflicts, advocating for respect, solidarity, and the prevention of extremism and hatred. Photo by Tijl Vercaemer from Gent, Flanders #Belgium, Wikimedia commons.