National

Hundreds of mourners on Monday gathered at Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre Kigali (IPRC) in Kicukiro to mourn the victims of the 2004 massacre of over 166 members of the Banyamulenge community at Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi.

Speaking to The New Times, the president of the Banyamulenge university students association (Isoko Association), Jacques Niyonsaba, blamed Burundian politician, Agathon Rwasa and his group FNL Parpehutu for the massacre.

“Agathon Rwasa himself claimed that his party killed our colleagues, his party was helped by Interahamwe militia and they are still bent on killing more innocent people,” he said.

He urged the international community to help bring the culprits to justice.

 “What we want is to see people who massacred our colleagues brought to book,”

He also said that the memorial site where the victims are buried in Burundi, is not well looked after.

Jotham Muvunyi, one of survivors of the Gatumba massacres narrated the ordeal where over 160 people were killed while many others were left with permanent injuries.

“The army of Agathon Rwasa and Interahamwe came in our camp singing and shooting, we thought they were thieves but later discovered they wanted to kill us, they kept on shooting until they killed 166 and injured others, we are still facing the consequences of the massacre,” said Muvunyi.

“We are very sorrowful, our fellows were innocently killed and others seriously injured but no justice. We wish there was justice so that those who participated are arrested,” said Justin Nshimiyimana, another survivor.