11 November: Congolese people also lost their lives serving Belgium during 1914–1918

Johan Leman, 4 November 2026

At least 32 Congolese men voluntarily enlisted in the Belgian Army during the period 1914–1918. They were known as the Corps des Volontaires Congolais (Congolese Volunteer Corps). Most had arrived in Belgium before 1914, either as “petit boys” (domestic servants) or as sailors. Some were killed in action on the Yser front in 1918: François Mabila and Jean-Baptiste Jessy. Others also lost their lives: Antoine Bomjo in Antwerp, Joseph Lopiko in Liège and Jean-Jacob Ilanga in Ghent.

Among the 32 Congolese servicemen, all commemorated on 11 November at Riga Square in Schaerbeek, a number have remained particularly present in the collective Belgian-Congolese memory: Paul Panda Farnana (who subsequently became an important figure in the struggle for Congolese emancipation), Joseph Adipanga, Albert Kudjabo, Honoré Kulu, Simon Lisasi (who launched the Carabouya sugar sweets between the two world wars), Antoine Yoka, Antoine Manglunki…

We must also remember the contribution of the Force Publique, Belgium’s colonial army, in East Africa (Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, which at the time formed part of German East Africa). The senior officers were Belgian, while the soldiers were Congolese.

In 1916, the legendary capture of Tabora took place. Tabora was an important German military centre. In 1917, the Mahenge Plateau was captured. Both locations are situated in present-day Tanzania.

The Congolese contribution was not limited to soldiers who actually fought. Thousands of Africans also took part in the war effort as porters, labourers and other support personnel. In Belgium, these operations were celebrated as a major Belgian success. The soldiers were predominantly Congolese, while most of the senior officers were Belgian.

According to Belgian figures, during the campaign against the Germans in East Africa, 3,895 Congolese soldiers were killed and 7,124 Congolese auxiliaries and porters lost their lives.

Only the senior officers subsequently received official recognition.

It is therefore entirely fitting that, on 11 November, at the initiative of Bakushinta, the Congolese heroes should also be commemorated.

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