On 28 January 2025, an exceptionally tense and dangerous situation unfolded in Kinshasa. As violent unrest gripped the Congolese capital, several Western embassies came under severe pressure. The Belgian embassy was also attacked. Inside the compound, diplomatic staff suddenly found themselves facing a threatening crowd.
Today, six Belgian soldiers were decorated for their exceptional actions during that night. They received the Military Decoration, 2nd Class, an award that symbolises courage, composure and a sense of duty under extraordinary circumstances.
As a manufacturer of official decorations, P. De Greef Medals is proud to help give form to such tangible signs of recognition. Every decoration that leaves our workshop represents more than craftsmanship alone: it carries a story of service, commitment and sacrifice.
Kinshasa in unrest
The events took place against the backdrop of the advance of the pro-Rwandan rebel group M23 in eastern Congo. In Kinshasa, this led to serious tensions. Rumours and accusations directed at Western countries fuelled anger, prompting large groups of demonstrators to take to the streets.
The situation escalated quickly. The embassies of countries including France, the United States and Belgium were besieged. Vehicles and tyres were set on fire, buildings were pelted with stones and the French embassy caught fire. The Belgian embassy compound also came under heavy pressure.
A decisive defence
That day, the protection of the Belgian embassy was entrusted to six plain-clothes soldiers, trained by the Special Operations Regiment. They formed part of a security team tasked with protecting Belgian diplomatic staff on site.
When the outer wall of the compound was overrun and rioters entered the garden, the situation became critical. The crowd then turned its attention to the embassy building itself. Doors were attacked, ladders were used in attempts to climb the building, and shots rang out.
For hours, the six soldiers held their ground. Using tear gas and non-lethal means, they succeeded in pushing back the attackers and protecting the building. In doing so, they maintained their discipline and professionalism, without resorting to lethal force.
A decoration with meaning
Only late that night was the Congolese police able to restore order. Until that moment, the six soldiers had protected the embassy staff in circumstances that required exceptional courage and restraint.
Their actions may have prevented a tragedy. Without their swift and professional response, the Belgian embassy could have been looted or gone up in flames, as happened elsewhere that night. Above all, they protected lives.
For operational reasons, the names of these soldiers remain anonymous. Members of the Special Operations Regiment and soldiers active in such missions rightly attach great importance to discretion and security. Their identities therefore remain protected, but their merit deserves recognition.
P. De Greef Medals, maker of Belgian decorations
The Military Decoration, 2nd Class, is one of the official Belgian decorations manufactured by P. De Greef Medals. As a specialised manufacturer of medals, orders and decorations, P. De Greef Medals preserves an artisanal tradition closely connected to Belgian history and institutions.
A decoration is not an ordinary product. It is an official symbol of appreciation, awarded to people who have distinguished themselves through their commitment, courage or merit. Its production therefore requires the utmost care: from the correct execution of the design to the finishing, the ribbon and the presentation.
At P. De Greef Medals, every decoration is made with respect for that meaning. Its value lies not only in the metal or the craftsmanship, but above all in the story it represents. In this case, it is the story of six soldiers who fulfilled their mission under extreme pressure and protected human lives.
Their names remain unknown. Their actions do not.
For P. De Greef Medals, it is an honour to manufacture decorations that make such stories tangible.
