SOS Médias Burundi,

Mahama, August 10, 2025 – The Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda Friday hosted the commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the Gatumba massacre, a tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 150 Congolese refugees from the Banyamulenge community in August 2004. This massacre took place in a UNHCR-run camp located in western Burundi, not far from the Burundi-DRC border. The victims were from South Kivu, in eastern Congo.

Thousands of Congolese refugees from the provinces of North and South Kivu gathered to pay tribute to the victims and demand justice, denouncing the impunity and silence of the international community in the face of this tragedy.

The silent march, more than 5 kilometers long, took place in and around the Mahama camp. Participants carried signs reading : « Stop the genocide against the Tutsi and the Banyamulenge in particular, » « No to impunity, » « Shame on the international community that failed to protect the Banyamulenge in Gatumba, » and « The blood of the innocent demands justice. »

A Burundian refugee present at the ceremony emphasized that this edition was « highly prepared, » with the participation of several thousand people and officials, a notable difference from the previous three years.

The day before, Thursday, candles were lit from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. during a commemorative vigil held on the grounds of Village 17, Mamaha II Zone, Neighborhood 9. Several Congolese refugees gathered to pray and listen to the poignant testimonies of survivors of the Gatumba massacre.

During the ceremonies, survivors and representatives of the Congolese community denounced « crimes against humanity » and a « prepared genocide » committed in Gatumba. They also expressed their frustration with the international community, particularly the UN, which they said remained silent while the victims were under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

They also called for the arrest of Agathon Rwasa, then leader of the FNL rebel movement, that had claimed responsibility for the attack. « Why does he walk freely, respected as a political actor, while the blood of the Banyamulenge still accuses him? Let impunity end! » they declared.

These refugees also took the opportunity to remember the Tutsi of North Kivu, the Hema of Ituri, and all the Banyamulenge « who continue to be devoured by their own government. » They denounced the ongoing genocide and called on the international community to act swiftly.

Representatives from the UNHCR and the Rwandan government present at the ceremony called for calm, non-violence, and restraint, while stressing the importance of justice for the victims.

The victims of Gatumba had fled the fighting in their country before being settled in the transit camp in the Gatumba zone, in Mutimbuzi district, Bujumbura province (west) in 2004. Of the 166 people killed, 154 belonged to the Banyamulenge community and 12 to the Babembe tribe.

This massacre, perpetrated on the night of August 13-14, 2004, was initially claimed by the Hutu National Liberation Front (FNL). Pasteur Habimana, then spokesperson for the FNL, had assumed responsibility for the attack before retracting his statement.

Several legal proceedings have been initiated in the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, and at the ICC (International Criminal Court).

This massacre was documented by the NGO Human Rights Watch as well as several UN agencies, including the UN Mission in the DRC, the UN Mission in Burundi, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Mahama camp currently hosts more than 76,000 refugees, including more than 25,000 Congolese, the remainder being mostly Burundian refugees.