22nd Anniversary of the Gatumba Massacre: Statement by the Katangese Bloc

In an official statement issued on August 17, 2026, and signed by its president, Professor Jean-Paul Mbuya Mutombo, the Katangese Bloc paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Gatumba massacre, which occurred during the night of August 13 to 14, 2024, in a refugee camp in Burundi. It expresses its solidarity with the survivors and bereaved families, unreservedly condemns this crime as well as any violence based on identity, appearance, or presumed belonging.

As a reminder, the Katangese Bloc is an organization that brings together Katangese from around the world and works for the integration of Katangese nationals as well as the defense of Katanga's interests across the globe.

In its statement, the Katangese Bloc draws a parallel between Gatumba and the current situation in the two Kivu provinces, which is characterized by bombardments and repetitive massacres of civilians, as well as in Katanga, which is experiencing an unprecedented wave of repression and civilian massacres. Cases cited include:

• April 27, 2021: 22 students assassinated in La Rwashi (a commune in the city of Lubumbashi).
• August 13, 2022: 37 youths in Kolwezi.
• March 23, 2023: 66 youths in Kilobelobe (a district of Lubumbashi).
• August 18, 2024: 17 civilians in Kilwa (a locality in Katanga).
• January 16, 2026: 13 youths in Bukama.

Furthermore, the Katangese Bloc, through the voice of its president, Professor Jean-Paul Mbuya Mutombo, stated that it expects the leaders of the DRC and Burundi to foster the emergence of solid states founded on justice and the rule of law, through frank dialogue between the sons and daughters of these nations in decay. The priority is to avoid further mass slaughter, as there are unmistakable warning signs; this is the prerequisite that will spare us other Gatumbas.

The Katangese Bloc calls on human rights organizations, political actors, civil society, and the international community to contribute to the rigorous documentation of crimes, the protection of survivors, the fight against hate speech, and the establishment of individual and institutional responsibilities.