Witness History
Africa’s stolen Metis children
Feb 28, 2025
Marie-José Loshi, one of five courageous women, shares her harrowing tale of being forcibly taken from her family in the Belgian Congo as a child. The conversation dives into the emotional impact of colonial policies on mixed-race children, detailing her painful experiences in a Catholic institution. Marie-José recounts their legal battle against the Belgian government, seeking justice and recognition for past injustices. The discussion highlights the importance of confronting colonial legacies and empowering survivors to reclaim their narratives.
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Quick takeaways
- The forced removal of mixed-race children in the Belgian Congo was a colonial strategy aimed at suppressing potential rebellion against the regime.
- Marie-Josée Loshi and other survivors' pursuit of justice highlighted the lasting emotional trauma and the inadequacy of financial compensation for their suffering.
Deep dives
The Forced Abduction of Métis Children
From the late 1940s to the early 1950s, mixed-race children in what was then the Belgian Congo were forcibly taken from their families by colonial authorities. These children, known as Métis, were seen as a threat to colonial rule due to their mixed heritage. Marie-Josée Loshi, one such child, vividly recalls the trauma of being abducted at the age of four, being transported over 600 kilometers away from her home to a Catholic mission. The traumatic uprooting resulted in lifelong scars, marking a dark chapter in the lives of many Métis children who were deprived of their families and cultural ties.
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