Mémorial du Soldat Congolais

The Mémorial du Soldat Congolais, also known as the Congolese Soldier Memorial, is a 3-meter-tall memorial located at the FORESCOM Roundabout in the Gombe commune of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The monument serves as a national tribute to the Congolese soldiers who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice throughout the country's tumultuous history, spanning from 1885 to the present day.[1] Inaugurated on July 28, 2017, by former President Joseph Kabila, the monument was designed by Van Ntoto of Anko Design Corporation and constructed by a Congolese monumental sculptor, Christophe Meko Disengomoka. The memorial symbolizes remembrance, honor, and patriotism, providing visitors with a space to reflect on and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers who played a significant role in the nation's history.[2][3]

Mémorial du Soldat Congolais
Mémorial du Soldat Congolais, September 2020
LocationFORESCOM Roundabout, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
DesignerVan Ntoto
BuilderChristophe Meko Disengomoka
Height3 m (9.8 ft)
Opening dateJuly 28, 2017

It is celebrated on May 17 each year, honoring the arrival of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (Alliance des Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Congo-Zaïre; AFDL) in Kinshasa. The date marks the occasion when the rebel forces overran the city and dismissed the autocratic dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Since then, May 17 became the day of homage to the troops fallen on the front since 1997. Nonetheless, it also pays tribute to the soldiers in a historical line that goes from the Congo Free State when the country was the personal fiefdom of Leopold II of Belgium to the present day.[4]

The celebration commences with the words of the Chief of General Staff of the FARDC (Forces armées de la république démocratique du Congo), who recalls the sacred duty of the soldier: that of self-forgetfulness and sacrifice for the nation. He also recalls the soldier's motto, "Never betray the Congo (Ne jamais trahir le Congo)," and salutes the proximity of the President of the Republic with his army. The Head of State will lay a wreath of flowers in front of the monument.[3][5]

Construction

The project was launched by then-President Joseph Kabila and managed by the Chief of Staff, General Didier Etumba. The monument depicts three soldiers who are approximately 3 meters tall.[2] One of the soldiers is walking, another is gazing up at the sky, and the third is poised for attack.[2] According to Christophe Meko Disengomoka, whose statement was reported in Dépêches de Brazzaville (a newspaper published by ADIAC), the monument honors soldiers from a historical line that began in the Congo Free State in 1885 and continues to the present day. The Force Publique it is represented from 1884 to 1960, followed by the Congolese National Army (Armée Nationale Congolaise; ANC) from 1960 to 1997, which later became the Zairian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Zaïroises; FAZ) during Mobutu's reign, and from 1997 to the present day, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo; FARDC).[2]

The soldiers are depicted wearing military pants, and the sculptor, Christophe Meko Disengomoka, considered this piece a new experience enriching his 25-year career and expertise in monument creation. The sculptural works he authored and designed are being unveiled gradually, with the Public Force monument being the smallest plinth. After the inauguration, a soldier wearing khaki shorts was unveiled for the memorial, complete with puttees and cartridge belts that were part of the uniform at the time.[2] The sculptor emphasized that producing the monument required specific documentation as it was intended to be a historical and informative work—the soldiers, whether living or deceased, are honored through this monument.[2]

See also

References
  1. Larie (June 1, 2017). "Le rond-point Forescom portera le mémorial du soldat congolais de 1885 à nos jours". Rdc-eveil.info (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  2. "Kinshasa: le rond-point Forescom en passe de porter le mémorial du soldat congolais" [Kinshasa: the Forescom roundabout about to carry the memorial of the Congolese soldier]. www.mediacongo.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. May 17, 2017. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  3. MPM (May 17, 2022). "RDC-Securite: Le président de la république au mémorial du soldat congolais". Top243news.com (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  4. Nkuy, Walter (May 17, 2017). "17 mai, désormais journée d'hommage aux soldats congolais". Mobile.topcongo.fm (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  5. "Commandant suprême, Félix Tshisekedi se recueille devant le «Mémorial du soldat congolais»" [Supreme Commander, Félix Tshisekedi meditates in front of the "Memorial of the Congolese soldier"]. www.digitalcongo.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. May 18, 2019. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
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