Commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of the Gatumba Massacre
The Congolese and African diaspora paid tribute to the Banyamulenge assassinated in Burundi 22 years ago
On August 14, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the Gatumba massacre, a tragedy that occurred on August 14, 2004, in Burundi, claiming the lives of 166 people. Far from their homeland, in the United Kingdom, the Congolese diaspora joined by other African communities as well as several British and Congolese figures mobilized for a solemn commemorative ceremony. This event, which remains unique of its kind due to the official authorization to erect a memorial, provided an opportunity to demand non-selective justice and advocate for living together.
On August 14, 2004, the Gatumba refugee camp, located in Burundi, was the scene of a horrific attack specifically targeting the Banyamulenge community. This massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 166 people, remains a deep wound in the Congolese collective memory. Twenty-two years later, the pain of the victims and their families continues to resonate, driving the diaspora to organize commemorations worldwide to demand that light be shed on these events and that the perpetrators answer for their actions before justice.
The Speech of Madam Sandra Nkulu Kyungu
During this ceremony, the coordinator of the PPRD Diaspora, Madam Sandra Nkulu Kyungu, delivered a passionate plea in favor of national unity and justice. She insisted on the idea that the suffering of the Banyamulenge must not be isolated, but rather integrated into the national conscience of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The pain of the Banyamulenge should not be a pain that belongs only to the Banyamulenge; it is a wound to the conscience of the entire Congolese nation. If we want peace in the Congo, we must learn to defend the humanity of every Congolese, even when the victims are not our own. I call for the mutual recognition of the pains of different communities, highlighting the urgent need to make living together a true lever, and diversity a driver of development. ”
Beyond the commemoration, the event served as a platform for an appeal addressed to the youth as well as the active forces of the nation and the Great Lakes region. The vision carried by the diaspora is that of building a solid community of destiny, first among Congolese, and then among the peoples of the region, while respecting everyone's identity.
This commemoration in the United Kingdom illustrates the maturity and commitment of a Congolese diaspora resolutely turned toward the future, while remaining faithful to its duty of memory. By uniting their voices, the participants reminded everyone that peace and development necessarily rely on recognizing the suffering of others and building a common foundation of justice and solidarity.
Comments
Join in — no account needed.
No one has replied yet. Start the conversation.