Kipupu massacre
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Kipupu, South Kivu, DR Congo
- 220 (provincial deputy claim)
- 18 (analyst claim)
| Kipupu massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Kivu conflict | |
  Kipupu Kipupu massacre (Democratic Republic of the Congo) | |
| Location | 3°38′24″S 28°42′0″E / 3.64000°S 28.70000°E Kipupu, South Kivu, DR Congo |
| Date | 16 July 2020 |
Attack type | Massacre, ethnic cleansing, arson, war rape |
| Deaths |
|
| Victims | Bembe, Fuliiru, and Nyindu peoples |
| Perpetrators | Ngumino and Twiganeho militias |
| Motive | Allegations that Kipupu was a CNPSC stronghold,[1] ethnic violence |
The Kipupu massacre (French: massacre de Kipupu) occurred on 16 July 2020 in the South Kivu village of Kipupu in the Mwenga Territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Gunmen belonging to the Ngumino and Twiganeho militias of the Banyamulenge community attacked the village and reportedly killed 220 people according to provincial lawmakers, while independent analysts state only 18 people were killed.
The massacre resulted in widespread outrage from the communities targeted, as well as from Congolese politicians, including Martin Fayulu.
Clashes between militias loyal to the National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC) Mai-Mai coalition and Banyamulenge militias have been ongoing since 2019, but have intensified as of mid-2020.[2] The fighting is born out of both community conflict and the objective of expelling the Banyamulenge armed groups from the country by the CNPSC. Those on the side of the CNPSC believe the Banyamulenge to be Tutsi from Rwanda, and see the Ngumino and Twiganeho militias as another Rwandan-backed rebellion similar to the March 23 Movement (M23). Those on the side of the Banyamulenge militias believe they are using self-defense groups to protect themselves from an enemy that wishes to exterminate them.
Attack
The attack took place in and around Kipupu village. According to provincial officials, the militias set fire to houses and stole livestock while marching towards the village.[1] The militias briefly clashed with Mai-Mai forces as well, with more civilians being killed in the crossfire. Following this, the Ngumino and Twiganeho continued to the village, where they burned houses, stole cattle, and raped women.[3] This also coincided with machete attacks as well as shootings of civilians. 220 people were killed in the attack, according to provincial deputies.[4][5] According to Kivu Security Tracker, an analyst group, the death toll was 18 as opposed to 220.[6][7]
