The refugees made the allegations on August 10, 2026, during a commemoration marking the 22nd anniversary of the massacre of Congolese Tutsi at 14 different locations, including the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi.
The commemoration was preceded by a memorial walk and a candle-lighting ceremony. The refugees, some of whom have spent more than 30 years in Rwanda, said they remain hopeful that they will eventually return to the DRC and obtain justice.
The commemoration comes as the DRC advances plans to revise its Constitution, a process critics say could pave the way for Tshisekedi to seek a third presidential term.
Joseph Mpumuro, coordinator of Congolese refugee camps in Rwanda, alleged that the proposed constitutional changes are also intended to deprive Congolese Tutsi of their citizenship.
“Apart from seeking to run for a third term, Tshisekedi wants to strip us of our citizenship so that he can eliminate us,” Mpumuro said.
He said discrimination against Congolese Tutsi dates back 141 years, linking its origins to the 1885 Berlin Conference, which established colonial boundaries in Africa and resulted in territories that had previously been linked to Rwanda being incorporated into what is now the DRC.
“Congolese refugees want justice. We want to return home to Congo,” Mpumuro said. “Young Congolese refugees should work towards returning home rather than focusing on going abroad, because you cannot live in a foreign land without a homeland.”
Benjamin Ndarishize, a survivor of the Gatumba massacre, recalled how they fled Uvira and sought refuge in Burundi, where they were placed in a camp near the border. In 2004, attackers reportedly stormed the camp, setting it on fire, hacking survivors who escaped the flames and shooting others.
“Burundian soldiers were nearby but never came to our rescue. It was a conspiracy against us,” Ndarishize said. “We are seeking justice because those who killed us have never been punished. Agathon Rwasa went to the media and claimed responsibility.”
Albert Bisore Ngemanyi, who represents the Congolese Tutsi Survivors Voice, an organisation involved in organising commemorations for Congolese Tutsi victims, told IGIHE that more than 15,000 people have been killed in what he described as atrocities against Congolese Tutsi since 1992.
“We are calling for justice from the governments of Burundi and Congo. They should pursue Gen. Ekenge and Bitakwira over their use of hate speech,” he said.
Bisore alleged that attacks against Congolese Tutsi are still taking place, claiming that aircraft from Kinshasa have been used to attack Tutsi communities in Minembwe.
Karongi District Mayor Gerald Muzunguthanked the refugees for maintaining a spirit of resilience despite the challenges they have faced.
“Everything has an end. This is how the world is; people must seek solutions to their challenges,” he said. “We urge you to continue building unity, cooperation and mutual respect, and to send your children to school so that they can have a better future.”
As of March 2026, Rwanda was hosting more than 79,000 Congolese refugees.
In addition to Kiziba, the 22nd commemoration of Congolese Tutsi victims was held in other refugee camps hosting Congolese refugees, including Mahama, Nyabiheke, Kigeme and Mugombwa.
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