Gatumba
Gatumba | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 3°20′S 29°15′E / 3.333°S 29.250°E | |
Country | Burundi |
Population (2008) | |
• Total | 11,700 |
The village of Gatumba lies on the western side of Burundi, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The place is known for a massacre that took place at Gatumba refugee camp connected to the village.
Massacre
On August 13, 2004, a refugee camp in Gatumba was the scene of one of the largest civilian massacres carried out in Burundi in recent years. [1]
A force of armed combatants, many of them members of the
Brigadier-General Germain Niyoyankana, head of the Burundian army, accused Congolese troops of complicity in the killings. [3]
Following the FNL's admission of responsibility for the Gatumba massacre, the Burundian government issued arrest warrants for the group's leader,
FNL statement
In October 2005, the FNL issued a statement condemning the Gatumba massacre, denouncing Agathon Rwasa for leading a "descent into hell", and announcing that he had been replaced. Rwasa was reported to have fled to Tanzania.
External links
- BBC report on Gatumba
- Human Rights Watch report on Gatumba
- UN Resolution 1577, condemning Gatumba massacre
- UN Resolution 1602, reiterating condemnation of Gatumba massacre
- IANSA - Condolences for Pastor Jacques Rutekereza, who died in the massacre with six of his children
References
- ^ "Tutsis massacred in Burundi camp". BBC News. 14 August 2004. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "Tenth Annual Gatumba Massacre Memorial Gathering". Gatumba Refugees Survivors Foundation. 2014.
- ^ "DR Congo army 'massacred Tutsis'". BBC News. 17 August 2004. Retrieved 2008-02-08.