Molenbeek to File Complaint After Councillor’s Remarks
- MolenbeekS city council meeting descended into controversy Wednesday night during its frist session of 2026.
- Jamel Azaoum, an self-reliant opposition member formerly with the Socialist Party, reportedly said, loud enough to be heard despite not speaking into a microphone, "We are in Belgium,...
- The dispute began with a debate over the lack of Dutch translations for several agenda items and a challenge from the Reformist movement (MR) party regarding the salaries...
MolenbeekS city council meeting descended into controversy Wednesday night during its frist session of 2026. Rather of New Year’s wishes, council members exchanged heated remarks and accusations, culminating in a statement that could face legal scrutiny.
Jamel Azaoum, an self-reliant opposition member formerly with the Socialist Party, reportedly said, loud enough to be heard despite not speaking into a microphone, “We are in Belgium, not Africa.”
The dispute began with a debate over the lack of Dutch translations for several agenda items and a challenge from the Reformist movement (MR) party regarding the salaries of council members. “You earn more than 6,000 euros net per month and you don’t have time” to arrange the translations, stated Gloria Garcia Fernandez, a liberal council member.
Azaoum’s comment came from the back of the room.Cloë Machuelle, a PTB (workers’ Party of Belgium) council member in the majority, immediately reacted. “I’m a bit shocked by my colleague who just said, ‘We are in Belgium, not Africa…'” azaoum responded, “I understand myself when I say that.” Machuelle countered, “That’s unacceptable in this council,” while Azaoum affirmed his statement, saying, “It’s the truth.”
Tensions escalated quickly. Oumar Diallo, a PTB council member originally from Guinea, expressed his outrage. The meeting was adjourned shortly after.
Molenbeek’s city council has a history of contentious debates, as RTBF reported.