Bigaragara mine massacre
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| Bigaragara mine massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Kivu conflict | |
| Location | Bigaragara gold mine and village, Mutambala, Fizi Territory, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Date | August 17, 2022 |
| Target | Civilians |
| Deaths | 21 |
| Injured | Unknown |
| Victims | Many displaced |
| Perpetrator | Twirwaneho |
On August 17, 2022, Twirwaneho militants attacked civilians at the Bigaragara gold mine in Mutambala, Fizi Territory, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing 17 people including women and children.
Rwandan-backed Twirwaneho militias are active around the Bigaragara gold mine, which is one of the most lucrative gold mines in Fizi Territory. In late 2021, Twirwaneho militants launched an offensive against the Congolese Army (FARDC) and self-defense militias in Fizi Territory.[1] On August 15, a contingent of Burundian troops were sent to Ruzizi near Bigaragara to defend against Twirwaneho and other militia attacks.[2] At the time of the massacre on August 17, the village of Bigaragara was supposed to be under FARDC control, but the soldiers had left the area.[3]