THE 22 COMMEMORATION OF GATUMBA GENOCIDE AGAINST BANYAMULENGE

Ottawa, 13th August 2026

This week starting 13th to 15th of August 2026, all Banyamulenge communities around the world have been organizing events to remember their loved ones murdered in Gatumba, Lubumbashi, Kalemie, Kasai, Kinshasa, Abela and Bibogobogo for only being Banyamulenge! 

It was the night of August 13, 2004, when a coalition of Burundian, Congolese and FDLR armed fighters attacked the UN refugee camp in Gatumba, Burundi, killing 166 people and wounding over 100. The victims were mostly Banyamulenge, a Congolese Tutsi group who had fled violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Forces Nationales pour la Liberation (FNL) carried out the massacre. Every year, survivors and Banyamulenge communities worldwide gather to honor the victims and demand accountability.

The Tragedy of Gatumba

The attack began late at night. Militants surrounded the UN transit camp, set fire to the tents, and shot at sleeping families.

• • Most victims were women and children.
  • The FNL, a Hutu rebel group, proudly claimed responsibility for targeting the group.
  • International bodies labeled the killings a horrific war crime, while survivors and advocates view it as part of a targeted campaign of ethnic extermination.

Why Commemoration Matters

Annual memorials serve as a vital anchor for the Banyamulenge diaspora and survivors globally. Commemorations focus on three core goals:

• • Remembering the Dead: Preserving the names and stories of the 166 lives lost so they are never forgotten.
  • Seeking Justice: Pushing international courts and regional governments to prosecute the perpetrators who still walk free.
  • Rejecting Hate: Condemning ongoing ethnic violence and genocide ideology targeting the Banyamulenge in eastern DRC today.

The Ongoing Quest for Accountability

Decades after the bloodshed, justice remains unfulfilled. Memorial events remind the international community that accountability is essential for lasting peace in the Great Lakes region. By gathering each August, the Banyamulenge community ensures that the world bears witness to their survival and their persistent call for human rights and protection.

We shall always remember them and justice although delayed and denied but it will be served one way or another. 

HKM