Shoni Kalala was 14 in 2004, when he fled Kimanga, Uvira, in South Kivu, together with his mother and father and three brothers as violence focusing on Banyamulenge and different Tutsi communities intensified.
The household crossed into neighbouring Burundi, the place they hoped to seek out security till the violence in jap DR Congo subsided they usually may return dwelling. They discovered themselves in a refugee camp in Gatumba, the place they might face one other assault two months later.
On August 13, 2004, armed attackers stormed the UNHCR transit camp, killing 166 Banyamulenge refugees, principally girls and kids, and injuring 108 others.
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The refugees had fled violence and persecution in South Kivu in quest of safety.
“We have been among the many final teams to flee as a result of different households had already left Uvira. We thought we may discover refuge someplace in Burundi and return later,” Kalala recalled as he spoke in Kigali on Thursday, August 13, through the twenty second commemoration of the Gatumba bloodbath.
For days, they felt protected. Burundian authorities troopers from a close-by navy camp got here at night time to guard the refugees earlier than leaving within the morning.
“At the least three to 5 troopers got here daily to guard us. We felt protected as we waited for peace to return in order that we may return dwelling,” Kalala stated.
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That sense of security ended on the night time of August 13.
It was simply one other normal Friday, after spending the day taking part in soccer with different youngsters, Kalala returned dwelling as darkness fell. Across the settlement, he observed extra armed males than normal.
“There have been extra troopers than normal that night, wearing civilian garments and carrying weapons. They have been a little bit far-off, so I couldn’t hear what they have been saying, however they seemed like they have been having a gathering,” he recalled.
He was not instantly alarmed as a result of troopers guarding the camp generally wore civilian garments.
Later, after individuals had settled down, Kalala went to bathroom and once more observed a gaggle of armed males within the bush. They have been unfamiliar faces, however he was nonetheless unbothered.
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At round 11pm, gunshots rang out.
Kalala bought as much as see what was taking place and located one in every of his youthful brothers had been shot within the head, with the blood protecting the realm.
As he looked for his different siblings, he heard his father’s voice. His father had returned from the neighborhood the place he was chatting with fellows earlier than heading to sleep, he returned after the capturing started and had additionally been shot.
His mom pleaded with the attackers, who spoke Kinyarwanda, Swahili and Kirundi, to spare her.
“As I continued to test round, I heard my father combating for his final breath. My mom pleaded to be spared, however they killed her with a machete,” he stated.
Kalala ran because the attackers chased him, capturing.
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The capturing continued till round 2am. By morning, Kalala had learnt that he was the one survivor from his household of six together with one youthful brother, whom he discovered later.
“We now have spent years pleading for justice, however the killings in opposition to Banyamulenge proceed. We aren’t asking for anything however justice and an finish to the killing of Banyamulenge,” he stated, referring to killings in jap DR Congo.
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The Gatumba bloodbath was investigated by the United Nations safety mission in DR Congo (MONUC), United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) and the Workplace of the UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights.
The joint investigation concluded that the assault was “unequivocally directed in opposition to members of the Banyamulenge group” and motivated by ethnic hatred and political calculation. But 22 years later nobody has been tried for the killings.
‘It’s nonetheless taking place, they usually do it publicly’
Alexis Mutware, who heads the Banyamulenge group in Rwanda, stated the group would proceed to pursue accountability for the perpetrators.
“Those that killed the 166 individuals have to be delivered to justice. They’re recognized, and a few have publicly admitted their involvement,” Mutware stated.
Instances have been filed in Burundi and DR Congo, whereas the matter was additionally introduced earlier than the Worldwide Felony Court docket.
“Till at this time, justice has not been achieved. Nothing has been completed,” he stated.
Mutware stated the demand for accountability now extends to what Banyamulenge communities are experiencing in jap DR Congo.
“Past Gatumba bloodbath, we would like accountability, not just for these chargeable for the crimes in Gatumba, but in addition for what is going on in DR Congo. It’s nonetheless taking place, they usually do it publicly,” he stated.
He additionally questioned the presence of Burundian troops on DR Congo’s Excessive Plateaus at this time.
“We now have nothing in opposition to Burundi or the Burundian authorities, however we marvel why they’re bringing 10,000 troopers to the Excessive Plateau,” he stated.
“What we would like is for them to return to their nation,” he stated.
The commemorative occasion was underneath the theme “Bear in mind, Search Justice, and Condemn Genocide Ideology within the DRC.” It introduced collectively survivors, kinfolk and group members to recollect the victims, renew requires justice and replicate on what they are saying is the continued persecution of Banyamulenge in jap DR Congo.
Different audio system additionally mirrored on the historical past and unfold of genocide ideology within the Nice Lakes area.
Veteran politician Tito Rutaremara traced its growth via the area, together with its entrenchment in jap DR Congo and the function of the FDLR, which was shaped by remnants of these chargeable for the 1994 Genocide in opposition to the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The discussions additionally targeted on the function of younger Banyamulenge in preserving the reminiscence of the Gatumba victims and shaping the group’s future, notably as tons of of 1000’s of Congolese refugees stay in camps within the nations within the area.
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The Gatumba Refugee Survivors’ Basis (GRSF), in an announcement issued to mark the twenty second anniversary, stated the violence going through Banyamulenge at this time reveals that the ideology behind the Gatumba killings has not disappeared.
The organisation stated Banyamulenge communities in Fizi, Mwenga and Uvira proceed to face killings, destruction of property, cattle looting, displacement and sexual violence.
“These ongoing atrocities display the persistent and harmful nature of an ideology that targets Banyamulenge and different Tutsi-identifying communities,” it stated.
The GRSF stated the persecution additionally predates the Gatumba bloodbath, pointing to earlier killings of Banyamulenge civilians in several elements of DR Congo between 1996 and 1998.
For the muse, the shortage of accountability for the Gatumba bloodbath has added to considerations over continued violence.
“Regardless of sturdy condemnation by the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations, no trial has ever been held for the Gatumba Genocide. The perpetrators are recognized, but impunity persists,” it stated.
The GRSF known as on the worldwide group to fulfil its accountability to ship justice for the victims and urged the United Nations to make use of obtainable mechanisms to deliver Agathon Rwasa, Pasteur Habimana and their accomplices to justice.
It additionally known as on the UN, EU, AU and regional organisations to sentence the enabling of genocidal ideology by the Burundian and Congolese governments, and to demand safety and rehabilitation for victims.
The muse additionally urged the Congolese authorities to finish focused assaults in opposition to Banyamulenge and restore safety to permit displaced individuals and refugees to return dwelling safely and with dignity.
Burundi bars commemoration
It additionally raised considerations over the commemoration of the victims in Burundi. It stated the Burundian authorities didn’t enable this yr’s commemoration, stopping the survivors, their households and associates dwelling in Burundi to go to the Gatumba memorial web site.
The organisation stated the denial prevents survivors from mourning and remembering their kinfolk and ndermines therapeutic and justice.
