At a time when collective memory is frequently reinterpreted, the Union Royale Belgo-Africaine (URBA-KBAU) notes the plurality of historical narratives linked to the Belgian colonial period in Central Africa. It believes that it is necessary to engage in a process that enables everyone to know this past in all its diversity, avoiding the pitfalls of a univocal, truncated and non-contextualized vision that would serve neither the truth nor understanding between peoples.

The deep regret expressed by His Majesty King Philippe for the suffering experienced during colonization is an important step towards greater mutual understanding. However, URBA-KBAU believes that we should not stop at the negative aspects alone, but also recognize the positive results which, in the end, have shaped current relations between Belgium and its former colonies.

URBA-KBAU aims to highlight the multiplicity of colonial memories and encourage reflection that embraces all facets of this era. It is imperative to avoid a biased reading of history, which would foster resentment in a society that wants to be diverse and respectful of everyone’s contributions.

With the intention of promoting constructive dialogue and close cooperation, the URBA-KBAU has assigned itself the following tasks :

1. To promote a plural and serene knowledge of colonial history, revealing both its failures and common successes ;
2. To defend the honour and dignity of the peoples of Belgium, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi;
3. To exercise zero tolerance towards discrimination and racism ;
4. To encourage mutual respect and friendship between Belgians and people from Central African countries; while supporting integration and better coexistence between communities ;
5. To pursue the expansion of institutional and personal contacts through joint achievements and initiatives that play to the benefit of both sides.

A call for commitment

The URBA-KBAU does not depend in any way on political support or subsidies. It therefore appeals to all those who endorse its aims to support them and thus strengthen its capacity for action. It invites everyone to join its constructive and open approach so that together we can make a positive difference.

The Cercle Royal Africain was founded on December 7, 1889 and chaired by General Albert Thys, the illustrious creator of the Bas-Congo railroad linking Matadi to Léopoldville. The association had two aims: to foster patriotism among its members, and to develop a center for union, exchange of ideas, documentation and enjoyment. It met regularly at 5 Place Royale, in the Globe tavern. At the celebration of its 50th anniversary in 1939, the association had 651 members.

On 1 June 1951, the Union Royale Coloniale Belge was founded in Brussels as an umbrella for the circles of friends of veterans that had already sprung up in various cities in the country, as well as the associations that were to follow later.

The Royale Union Coloniale Belge was founded with the generous support, firstly, of H.M. King Albert I, who personally granted the new organization a large subsidy, then of powerful commercial companies, and finally of the official participation of the government of the day. Minister of State Auguste Beernaert, who had been one of King Leopold II’s most loyal supporters, had an extraordinary credit entered in the 1912 budget for the new association, which became the owner of the building at 34 rue de Stassart. Among the founders, apart from Auguste Beernaert, were Jules Renkin, Minister of Colonies, Minister of Justice de Landsheere, MP Louis Franck (Minister of Colonies from 1918 to 1924) and MP Frans Van Cauwelaert. The Higher Committee of the Royal Colonial Union was chaired first by Auguste Beernaert and, after his death, by Gérard Cooreman, President of the House of Representatives.

The association had several objectives in mind ; first, propaganda in favour of colonial action, in addition, the organisation of conferences, the launching of an information service and of an African library, the setting up of preparatory courses for all those aiming at colonial careers, for whom no education was organised.

As the Fédération des cercles coloniaux, it concentrated the collective action of the groups and provided them with premises for their activities. On December 18, 1912, the Cercle Royal Africain moved from Place Royale to rue de Stassart.

Whereas eleven circles had contributed to the founding of the Royale Union Coloniale in 1912, by the time it celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1937, the organization had grown to 52. It had organized 2,782 conferences, created a library of over 7,000 volumes, many of which were the unique remains of defunct collections or out-of-print editions, and its colonial preparation courses had been attended by 4,264 students, 88% of them surveyors.

After the independencies in the 1960s, the clubs incorporated cooperators and the association then changed its name to “Union Royale Belge pour les pays d’Outremer” for short (UROME)

In 2019, the association’s new management, under the impetus of the Board of Directors, organized the first Summer University of the association to rethink its future and ensure its sustainability. Thus, at the end of a democratic and participatory process, the Association was renamed “Union Royale Belgo Africaine – Koninklijke Belgisch Afrikaanse Unie” (abbreviated URBA-KBAU).

This update of the statutes with a new name is justified by the evolution of relations between Belgium, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi and a dimension deliberately adding the future, taking into account the role, sensitivities and growing place of the diasporas in these relations. URBA is now open to Congolese, Rwandan and Burundian associations wishing to support its mission to strengthen cooperation and friendship between these countries, while respecting their shared history and looking forward to a mutually satisfying future.