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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire and the Belgian Congo - during the colonial period) speaks French because it was colonized by the Belgians. Since the official languages of Belgium are Flemish and French, it makes sense that the administration of the Belgian Congo would have been in either French or Flemish.

The reason why French was chosen and not Flemish was for several reasons. Firstly, French was the more populous language in Belgium. Secondly, it was the dominant language among the leadership and aristocracy in Brussels (the capital of Belgium). Finally, as there were numerous French colonies in Africa, but no other Dutch/Flemish colonies, French also served as an international language for African governance.

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire and the Belgian Congo - during the colonial period) speaks French because it was colonized by the Belgians. Since the official languages of Belgium are Flemish and French, it makes sense that the administration of the Belgian Congo would have been in either French or Flemish.

The reason why French was chosen and not Flemish was for several reasons. Firstly, French was the more populous language in Belgium. Secondly, it was the dominant language among the leadership and aristocracy in Brussels (the capital of Belgium). Finally, as there were numerous French colonies in Africa, but no other Dutch/Flemish colonies, French also served as an international language for African governance.

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Q: Why does the Democratic Republic of the Congo speak French?
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What are some Africian countries that speak french?

Some African countries that speak French include Senegal, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cameroon. French is often used as either an official language or as a primary language of education and government in these countries.


What are all countries in Africa speak french?

Senegal Algeria Morocco Benin Togo Cameroon Tunisia Chad Niger Mali Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) Rwanda Central African Republic Burundi Gabon Ivory Coast Burkina Faso


Which countries speak french that are in Africa?

According to the CIA World Factbook, French is the official or one of the official languages in the following countries in Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and Togo.


Which African countries speak French?

Some African countries where French is spoken include: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Rwanda, Burundi, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius.


Why do so many countries speak French?

Many countries speak French due to the history of colonization by France, as well as the influence of French culture, politics, and trade. French has been a language of diplomacy, education, and culture, which has contributed to its widespread adoption in many regions around the world.

Related questions

What are all countries in Africa speak french?

Senegal Algeria Morocco Benin Togo Cameroon Tunisia Chad Niger Mali Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) Rwanda Central African Republic Burundi Gabon Ivory Coast Burkina Faso


What countries speak french and why?

French is spoken in countries such as France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and many countries in Africa due to historical colonization, diplomatic influence, and cultural ties with France. French is also an official language of various international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union, further promoting its use globally.


What countries speak Swahili?

congo zambia mozambique tanzania rwanda uganda kenya burundi


What are some Africian countries that speak french?

Some African countries that speak French include Senegal, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cameroon. French is often used as either an official language or as a primary language of education and government in these countries.


What 20 country's speak french?

Belgium Benin Burkina-Faso Burundi Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of Congo Djibouti France Gabon Guinea Haiti Ivory Coast Luxembourg Madagascar Mali Monaco Niger Republic of Congo Rwanda Senegal Seychelles Switzerland Togo Vanuatu http://www.fll.vt.edu/French/francophonie.html


Why do so many countries speak French?

Many countries speak French due to the history of colonization by France, as well as the influence of French culture, politics, and trade. French has been a language of diplomacy, education, and culture, which has contributed to its widespread adoption in many regions around the world.


Which countries speak french that are in Africa?

According to the CIA World Factbook, French is the official or one of the official languages in the following countries in Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and Togo.


What are the french speaking parts of Africa?

There are 21 Countries in Africa that speak French:BeninBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonCentral AfricanRepublicChadComorosCongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoCote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)DjiboutiEquatorial GuineaGabonGuineaMadagascarMaliNigerRwandaSenegalTogoMost of West African countries speak French in addition to local languages, as well as Madagascar.Most of the North African countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, etc. Answer:There are 21 Countries in Africa that speak French:BeninBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonCentral AfricanRepublicChadComorosCongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoCote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)DjiboutiEquatorial GuineaGabonGuineaMadagascarMaliNigerRwandaSenegalTogoand more...Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Rwanda, Burundi, Chad and many others.There are more than five countries in Africa that speak French. They include Congo, Algeria, Niger, Senegal, Burkina-Faso, and Cameroon.Researched 2 placesThere are many countries in Africa that speak the French language. And they are:Benin~Burkina Faso~Burundi~Cameroon~Central African Republic~Chad~Comoros~Republic of the Congo~Democratic Republic of the CongoCôte d'Ivoire~Djibouti~Gabon~Guinea~MadagascarMali~Niger~Rwanda~Senegal~Seychelles~Togo~Out of 54 countries 20 of them have French as an official language.--------In addition to the above, French is widely used in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lybia, Egypt and others)French is an administrative, official, or co-official language in:Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Niger, nigeria, Chad, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Cote-d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast), Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta), Togo, Benin, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire), Equitorial Guinea, Gabon, Djibouti, Mali, Rwanda, Burundi, Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sao tome and Principe, Seychelles.France also has two departments that are integral parts of France/overseas parts of France in Africa:MayotteReunion


What places still speak french?

Many places, including: Democratic Republic of the Congo France Canada Madagascar Cameroon Côte d'Ivoire Burkina Faso Niger Senegal Mali Rwanda Belgium Guinea Chad Haiti Burundi Benin Switzerland Togo Central African Republic Republic of the Congo Gabon Comoros Equatorial Guinea Djibouti Luxembourg Vanuatu Seychelles Monaco


Why do African countries speak french?

The countries that speak French were once French colonies. There are 21 African countries that speak French: 1. Democratic Republic of the Congo 2. Madagascar 3. Cameroon 4. Côte d'Ivoire 5. Burkina Faso 6. Niger 7. Senegal 8. Mali 9. Rwanda 10. Guinea 11. Chad 12. Burundi 13. Benin 14. Togo 15. Central African Republic 16. Republic of the Congo 17. Gabon 18. Comoros 19. Equatorial Guinea 20. Djibouti 21. Seychelles Furthermore, there are 6 African countries were French is not official, but widely used: 1. Morocco 2. Algeria 3. Tunisia 5. Mauritania 6. Mauritius


What other country speaks french other than France?

Other countries where French is spoken include Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Haiti, and many countries in Africa, such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Democratic Republic of Congo. French is also an official language of international organizations, such as the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee.


How many nations speak French as first language?

Threre are 28 countries in which French is a national language - meaning it is a primary (but not necessarily the only) official language spoken in that country. These countries are: Belgium Benin Burkina-Faso Burundi Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of Congo Djibouti France Gabon Guinea Haiti Ivory Coast Luxembourg Madagascar Mali Monaco Niger Republic of Congo Rwanda Senegal Seychelles Switzerland Togo Vanuatu