Massacre in Congo: memory of a survivor of Goma
Babs was born in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This region, marked by decades of armed conflicts and ethnic tensions, remains today still a hotbed of violence and brutality inflicted on civilians. It is through of the demonstration organized by the Congolese community last February, that we are meeting Babs for the first time.
Witnessing the rise of violence in his hometown, the 44-year-old man went through the wars that shook Congo between 1996 and 2003 before finding refuge in Uganda and then in Canada in 2019. Listening to his testimony, we are transported to the dawn of the thirty years of armed violence that are shaking eastern DRC.
It is on a sunny Wednesday in March that we meet Babs in Laval. Standing in front of his uncle's house, he waits for us with a proud look, his hands in his pockets. Her shirt with colorful patterns evokes the arrival of spring.
In this family shelter where several survivors have found asylum after fleeing the east of the country, we take a seat in a large armchair, a symbol of his uncle's hospitality.
“We lived, we played, we studied together”
Goma, now associated with mass shootings, was not always a dangerous region. Located on the shores of Lake Kivu, the city with a mountainous climate was once a tourist destination, Babs tells us, “It was a bit like the Bahamas,” he says with a laugh.
When he recalls the city of his childhood, he especially remembers the proximity to Rwanda and the virtual disappearance of the borders between the two countries. “Sometimes I would leave my house to go play in Rwanda without even realizing it. There was no border! ” he exclaims. There was no land border or distinction between the Congolese and Rwandan people, he tells us. “In primary school, I studied with Rwandans but I did not realize that they were Rwandans. It was hard to realize that we were distinct peoples, in different countries.” He continues, “Because we lived, we played, we studied together.”
“It was a good life... until the politicians went crazy,” he says.
“Everything changed in 1994”
The year 1994 marked a turning point when a genocide opposing the Hutus and the Tutsis was unleashed in Rwanda. In the space of one hundred days, more than 800,000 Tutsis were killed. Over a million civilians, mostly Hutus*, have fled to the DRC, fearing reprisals.
“We saw the massive arrival of Rwandan refugees. It was at that time that life started to change,” he said.
Between 1994 and 1996, Babs and his family made a habit of offering refuge to those fleeing Rwanda. “We welcomed refugees into our home, we allowed them to have food, and a place to sleep, but some were very sick,” he recalls. After a pause, he caught his breath and continued: “One morning we woke up to find that the women and children had all died in our living room. We saw them vomit, so we thought it was because of cholera.”
In its communication program on the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, The UN in fact indicates that thousands of refugees have been killed by waterborne diseases.
At the age of 14, Babs was then exposed to mass mortality for the first time. He goes on: “That's when I started to see the world in a different way. It was not the same as before. But I didn't realize that it was nothing compared to what was waiting for me,” he lets fall into a deafening silence.
Among the refugees in the DRC, the UN mentions in its communication program that there were also Rwandan Government officials, soldiers and militiamen who had taken part in the genocide. “They returned to Congo with weapons, there was banditry, armed robberies, this led to the creation of several armed groups,” says Babs.
Many years later, since the resumption of fighting in 2021, Rwandan militias have persisted in conducting operations in the DRC. Their main motivation is the illegal extraction of minerals present on Congolese soil, especially cobalt. This resource, which is essential in the manufacture of electronic devices, represents around 70% of the world's reserves on Congolese territory, and is the source of much interest.
“That is the reality of Congo. There are dead people everywhere, all the time. And kids grow up with that trauma. And it's too hard.”
From one war to another
In 1996, the outbreak of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was largely influenced by the involvement of several regional actors, including Rwanda and Uganda. These countries consider the presence of those responsible for the 1994 genocide who took refuge in the DRC as a significant threat.
Faced with this worrying situation, Rwanda and Uganda decided to intervene militarily in the DRC. In December 1996, a Rwandan operation was then launched in order to eliminate these genocidal groups. Although this intervention makes it possible to dislodge its targets, the Rwandan troops remain in the DRC, thus changing the political dynamic of the region.
This episode leads to a series of events, including Rwanda's support for Laurent-Désiré Kabila to overthrow the regime of Mobutu, the president who has been in power since 1965 in the DRC since 1965, in 1997. These events lead to a protracted and complex period of conflict in Congo.
Babs, a resident of Goma, witnessed the rise of violence in his region: “Around May 1996, The rebels of Laurent Désiré Kabila have landed in our city. There were bullets whistling, explosions everywhere,” he said.
Despite the violence that surrounds him, the young man remains confident about the future of his country: “We had faith in our President Mobutu. We believed that he was going to act, that the situation was going to improve. But in the end, just the opposite happened,” he continues, in a hushed voice. In 1997, Mobutu's regime was overthrown by that of Laurent Désiré Kabila.
“The soldiers fled,” he continues. “We stayed that way. You had to find a way to escape or to defend yourself. Defending ourselves was impossible because we had no weapons,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
Babs and his family then flee to a nearby village.
“Unfortunately, I was captured,” he said stealthily, as if unmoved by the violence he himself experienced. He continues: “I was forced to join the Army Democratic Alliance for the Liberation of Congo (ADFL). I was 14, I didn't have that heart.”
To submit or to die
For three months, Babs was plunged into total isolation and underwent military training that he described as a real concentration camp. “I don't know if I can say that it was military training or if it was torture. We had difficulty eating. We hardly slept. We hardly got dressed. And those who tried to escape were killed,” he said.
In the living room, time seems to have stopped. The silence between Babs' words intensifies her story.
“I had to either submit or die,” he said. The breaks in his breathing seem endless. “There was no way out. If you left the military base, the forest was waiting for you, with its animals ready to strangle you. On the other side, it was Rwanda.”
Torn between the fear of running away or submitting, he promises himself: “I don't want to be one of those who will traumatize others.”
“But I still managed to go home,” he concludes, without transition. The tension in the room is going away. He specifies: “We had to go to Goma for a demonstration before the authorities of this movement, which is called Passing Out*. We walked there, covering a distance of about 40 to 50 kilometers to get to the airport.” Along the way, Babs realized that he was very close to home and ran away. “I went home. Strangely enough, no one was looking for me,” he concludes as a mischievous smile streaks his lips.
From one country to another
Barely home, Babs returns to school and finishes his studies. Once he graduated at the age of 19, the young man wanted to serve his country by joining the national army. However, the rise of rebel groups is rapidly plunging Congo into chaos, putting Babs in danger.
With no way out, he makes the decision to leave the country and finds refuge in Uganda, where he will stay for fifteen years.
Regarding this episode of his life, Babs remains discreet. He repeats: “I can't tell you everything today.”
After a few seconds of silence, he said: “I lost two brothers during the conflicts in the DRC. One of them was beheaded and mutilated while serving in the army fighting M23*.” His eyes stare at the ground as he adds, “There is so much to share. Maybe I'll tell you his story another time.”
Although he thought he was safe in Uganda, Babs realized that he was a target across borders. “I have been threatened several times. Sometimes calls, sometimes messages. When I reported these threats to the police, they were able to trace the calls back to Rwanda,” he explains, shaking his head.
Due to multiple death threats, the Ugandan government initiated an asylum application for Babs in Canada. This is how he arrived in maple country in 2019.
“They take my country for business! ”
Although the conflicts in Congo have their origins in the transition from the violence of the Rwandan genocide to armed clashes in eastern DRC, Babs reminds us that mining is now the main cause of the continuing massacres. “We take my country for business! ”, he says.
Since the start of the armed violence, the UN also estimates a massive population displacement of nearly 7 million inhabitants within the country, and more than 5 million deaths.
Although now far from danger, Babs cannot help but find out every day about the evolution of his country. “I have become Canadian but I cannot say that what is happening there does not interest me. These are my origins. In addition, I still have family there who are in danger. I also need to get involved,” he says.
He regularly participates in demonstrations organized by the Congolese community. His demands are clear: “I am fighting for children to know peace in this country”, he expressed dismay.
According to the latest figures from UNICEF in 2014, more than 40,000 children in the DRC work in mines.
“We're not going to cross our arms! ”, he insists. “They don't even have the strength to defend themselves. They have no choice but to accept to experience certain atrocities or to die,” he said.
“You really have to have a big heart to put up with all that.”
Today, Babs has a seasonal job in a Hydro-Québec subcontractor company. Far from his native country, he talks about rebirth. “I am convinced that I was born in a new world here, where everything that can shock the heart, traumatic experiences are behind me.” He continues: “My head is calm”... before adding, with a certain contradiction: “I am pretending to forget the past. That's what I did.”
Despite the challenges, Babs maintains his optimism: “I'm trying to keep smiling, I don't know until when, but I think I'll get there,” he says, with a discreet smile.
When we talk about some mental health resources, Babs is skeptical: “I don't need them. If I'm holding on today it's because my brain already accepts any form of violence,” he says.
To go further:
- According to the Communication Program on the Tutsi Genocide in Rwanda 1.4 million civilians, the majority of whom are Hutus, have taken refuge in the DRC fearing political reprisals by the Rwandan Patriotic Front following the genocide against the Tutsis.
- Passing out is a ceremony marking the end of military training and the beginning of active service for new recruits.
- According to UN reports, LTHE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE FORMATION AND FINANCING OF THE MARCH 23 MOVEMENT (M23).), a rebel group active in eastern Congo. This group is accused of participating in smuggling and trafficking in natural resources, including minerals.
- To understand the current situation in eastern DRC, we recommend the article: MASSACRE IN CONGO: THE HEAVY SILENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
Mental health support:
- Crisis Intervention Center:
Montreal West Island Crisis Center
- Crime Victims Assistance Center:
- Listening line:
Hotline for veterans and their loved ones (24/7):
1-800-268-7708
Specialized bereavement hotline (10 am to 10 pm every day): 1-888-533-3845