Lubero: One Year After Ntoyo Massacre, Bapere Residents Mobilize to Honor Victims

The village of Ntoyo, in the Bapere sector of Lubero Territory, North Kivu Province, is preparing to commemorate the first anniversary of a massacre that claimed the lives of more than 70 civilians. Three days of commemorative activities are scheduled from September 8 to 10, 2026, with a call for a suspension of activities in memory of the victims.

According to Emmanuel Bansolea Sausi, a traditional community leader from the Mahoho/Kasenye-Ntoyo locality, the ceremonies will begin on Tuesday, September 8, with moments of remembrance and the cleaning and maintenance of the graves of those killed in the attack. Wednesday will be devoted to cleaning the graves of the village’s elders.

The commemoration will conclude on Thursday, September 10, with a memorial Mass for the victims. On this occasion, residents of Ntoyo are calling on the population of the Bapere sector to suspend their daily activities in order to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.

Beyond the duty to remember, Ntoyo residents are also calling for justice. They are demanding the organization of a public hearing to establish responsibility and bring to justice those suspected of being involved in the massacre.

Residents also welcome the efforts made by the political and military authorities to improve the security situation in Ntoyo and across the Bapere sector. Civil society organizations in Lubero have joined the initiative and are, in turn, calling on the population to observe a day of work stoppage on Wednesday, September 9.

The Ntoyo massacre took place during the night of September 8–9, 2025. More than 70 civilians were killed in an attack attributed to suspected ADF fighters. Several homes and vehicles were also set on fire.

Augustin. NL