By Charles Ishimwe

At the night of August 13th, 2004, in a Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi, Africa, 166 innocent victims from the Democratic Republic of Congo were mercilessly slaughtered by armed factions and at least 116 others were maimed or seriously injured. Families were traumatized and all of those murdered and injured were of the BANYAMULENGE tribe.

Prior to the massacre, the Banyamulenge tribe had been forced to leave their homes in the Southern Kivu region, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sadly, the conflict still continues today in Southern Kivu as people are continuously murdered and girls are raped and assaulted.

The research I have been doing for my film: Reign of Tears has lead me to Joseph Mushishi Ntezumwami who witnessed first-hand the Gatumba massacre. Joseph is a student here at SMCC. The purpose of my film is to educate a greater community to the atrocities that have been visited upon the Banyamulenge tribe. Joseph was kind enough to share with me his accounts of that evening.

Via email Joseph answered a few questions about his experience.

I understand that the Gatumba massacre must have been an incredibly difficult ordeal to witness. Would you be open to sharing what you witnessed so our readers have a better understanding of the horror of this event?

During the night of August 13, 2004, around 10:00 pm, in a refuge camp in Burundi called Gatumba, some people where already sleep and some where a wake when a group of rebels come and started savagely killed people, and burning some alive.

In 2hours, 166 innocents were mercilessly slaughtered by those arm factions and 105 were injured. We were slayed while we were under the protection of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Two days after Gatumba massacre Agoto Rwasa who was Hutu militia leader of (FNL) openly claimed to be responsible for the massacre on French International Radio

I saw unbelievable crimes, I saw how children of under five years old were slaughtered and others burned to the deaf. They cried for help and no one could help them. In two hours friends, family members they were gone. Bodies were everywhere in that morning and I thought that it was the end of the world because I never seen things like that. Some how it was like a movie while it was reality. There were no future for the victim but most of the survivors were brought to the United States of America to begin their new lives. And I am one of them. We are chasing our dreams and lives had been changed. Even thou lives were changed we still seek for justice for our beloved ones and for our community who live in insecurity for every single day in Eastern of Congo.   

What can you say in general about Agathon Rwasa who declare to kill the Banyamulenge people in the camp?

We sought refuge in Burundi to escape from political oppression in South Kivu, between two Congolese government’s soldiers Col Jule Mutebutsi (who is from Banyamulenge ethnicity) with general Mbuzamambe (who was supported by government and other ethnics in Congo against Banyamulenge. The question all victims who lost their loves one have, is why is this man not been brought to the justice? We ask this question to anybody who can help, the international community to help us bring Agato Rwasa to justice. He lives in Burundi and he believes that he will be a future president of Burundi and the victims, the survivors of massacre, can not find peace while this person, who claimed to be a killer still lives freely in Burundi and there are many Banyamulenge who still live in Burundi. We need justice to be served.

The purpose of the documentary film Reign of Tears is to become the voice of the voiceless minority Tutsi’s of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Women are being raped, people are being killed today the film will show what is happening now so that the world can help. I am planning on conducting a series of interviews with different survivors from around the world, as well as with United Nations officials who are aware of the problems of Banyamulenge.

Reign Of Tears will also delve into what the United States officials think about this issue. My film project will be done in two to three years depending upon how quick funding comes in for the film.

If you feel you can help with this project, please do not hesitate to email me on charlesishimwe@student.smccme.edu.  Also if you want to hear more testimony form Joseph Mushishi, email him to schedule a meeting via josephmntezumwa@student.smcc.edu