Decolonizing Diplomacy: The DRC's Response to Belgian Political Influence from 2000 to 2025

Abstract

This research investigates the strategies adopted by the DRC to counter the political pressure of Belgium from 2000-2025. DRC-Belgium relations are typified by long term unequal power relations and neo-colonialism. The analysis is concentrated on Belgian diplomatic leverage, the strategies of resistance followed by the DRC and articulated in the framework of the bilateral processes of decolonisation. The study has a constructivist orientation and it is based on a post-colonial and dependency theoretical framework. Methodologically, single case study research design is used, interconnected by questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. Findings reveal that the state-level posturing is upheld through the use of conditionalities on aid and diplomatic coercion at a country level. Nonetheless, the DRC is continuing the democratization of its institutions, diversifying partnerships, and continuing to employ the principles of cultural diplomacy in a sovereign reassertion of its independence. Those strategies have not removed the structural impediments to development although they have reduced the Belgian international leverage and enhanced the autonomy of the DRC. The paper concludes that post-colonial states need to pursue multilateral convergence, diaspora citizenship and engagement and enhance international relations to consolidate sovereignty and advance the discourses of decolonisation into their foreign policy and thereby contribute to the evolution of African diplomacy.