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Stade des Martyrs

Coordinates: 4°19′49.5″S 15°18′36.0″E / 4.330417°S 15.310000°E / -4.330417; 15.310000
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Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte
Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte, Kinshasa, October 2024
Map
Full nameStade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte
Former namesKamanyola Stadium
(1994–1997)
LocationDemocratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Capacity80,000
SurfaceSynthetic Lawn
Construction
Broke groundOctober 14, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-10-14)
BuiltOctober 14, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-10-14)
OpenedSeptember 14, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-09-14)
Renovated2008, 2021 and 2023
Construction costUS$38,000,000
Tenants
DR Congo national football team (1994–present)
AS Vita Club (1994–present)
Daring Club Motema Pembe (1994–present)

The Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte (formerly known as Stade Kamanyola), or commonly referred to as the Stade des Martyrs, is the national stadium of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in the Kinshasa commune of the capital Kinshasa. With a seating capacity of 80,000, it is the largest stadium in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the fourth-largest stadium in Africa. It serves as the home stadium for the Congolese football national team, Association Sportive Vita Club, and Daring Club Motema Pembe, making it the largest multifunctional venue in the country.[1][2]

Originally constructed in 1993, the stadium was renamed in 1997 to honor the ministers, including Évariste Kimba, Jérôme Anany, Emmanuel Bamba, and Alexandre Mahamba, who were publicly hanged in Léopoldville (present-day Kinshasa) on Pentecost, 2 June 1966.[3][4][5]

It hosted the 2023 Jeux de la Francophonie, which accommodated approximately 3,000 athletes from over 40 countries.[6][7]

History

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Etymology and construction

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Stade des Martyrs in 2013

Originally named "Stade Kamanyola," the name has its origins in the Kamanyola groupement, within the Walungu Territory of South Kivu Province. This region, a border town and historic site, witnessed a pivotal moment in 1964 when Mobutu Sese Seko's led Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC) secured a significant victory against the Mulelist insurgency and took control of the Kamanyola Bridge.[8] In commemoration of this triumph, Mobutu perpetuated the name Kamanyola across various aspects of his opulence, including his extravagant yacht, Kamanyola Division, and subsequently commissioned the construction of "Stade Kamanyola."[8] Construction commenced on 14 October 1988, and was finalized five years later on 14 October 1993. The official inauguration took place on 14 September 1994, with a friendly exhibition match between the Leopards of Zaire and Malawi. The financial investment amounted to approximately $38 million and was expertly overseen by a Chinese consortium, in consonance with the grandiloquent projects emblematic of Mobutu's reign. It replaced the former National Stadium, Stade Tata Raphaël. Tout Puissant Mazembe, a Congolese professional football club based in Lubumbashi, frequently contested away fixtures at the stadium.[9][10][11]

From Stade Kamanyola to Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte

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Following the ousting of Mobutu from power by AFDL (Alliance des Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Congo-Zaïre) led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila in 1997, the stadium was renamed "Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte" in memory of four ministers purged by Mobutu Sese Seko and hanged at the site on 2 June 1966: Évariste Kimba, Jérôme Anany, Emmanuel Bamba, and Alexandre Mahamba.[3][12] Tragedy revisited the venue in 1998 during the Second Congo War, when government troops opened fire during a football match between AS Vita Club and Daring Club Motema Pembe, resulting in four fatalities.[13]

On 5 December 2004, the Democratic Republic of the Congo achieved its first victory over South Africa in a historic match at the Stade des Martyrs.[14] On 12–14 October 2012, the venue played host to the 14th summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.[15][16][17] From 28 July to 6 August 2023, the Stade des Martyrs presided over the IXes Jeux de la Francophonie, a notable multi-sport event, marking the first occasion that the games were held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[18][19][20][21]

Renovation (2008–2023)

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Demonstration against the use of child soldiers at Stade des Martyrs.

In 2008, the government underwent a major renovation of the stadium in response to FIFA's recommendations to bring it up to international standards. The rejuvenation included upgrades to the wardrobe facilities, sound systems, lighting, electronic marker tables, seating arrangements, press gallery, security systems, and fire safety measures. The project cost a significant $15 million and involved a team of four experts, including technicians from the Netherlands, South Africa, and Norway. To ensure top-quality turf, the Dutch company Edell Grass brought in 140 tons of synthetic rollers and 150 tons of sand in containers from the port of Boma to Kinshasa.[22]

In June 2021, the former Ministry of Sports, Serge Tshembo Nkonde [fr], allocated almost $5 million for the Stadium's renovation in anticipation of an inspection visit by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).[23][24] However, after completing the renovation and applying to host international matches, the CAF deemed it unsuitable on 19 February 2023.[25][26][27] The CAF noted that the Congolese state must complete the necessary work before requesting a new inspection for CAF's approval.[25][28][26] The CAF found that the overall quality of the work completed in the stadium was not satisfactory according to the standards required for a modern stadium. The detailed February 9 report highlighted several issues, including the "non-existent" media space, internet connection, press conference rooms, medical facilities, and referees' locker rooms that required improvements.[25] Additionally, the stadium's outer perimeter areas "do not guarantee a safe and secure environment for hosting international football matches, as these areas are abandoned and without any proper maintenance".[25]

As of April 2023, the construction and site development work was approximately 80% complete. The ACGT (Agence Congolaise des Grands Travaux) was already carrying out the work at the Martyrs' stadium, according to a dispatch from the presidency's communication unit.[29] On 17 May, President Felix Tshisekedi visited the two gymnasiums under construction, with capacities of 3000 and 2000. During this inspection visit, President Tshisekedi also went to the Tata Raphaël Stadium.[30] By July 2023, student homes and numerous infrastructures had been rehabilitated, and the Stadium was supplied with water with cisterns installed by REGIDESO.[31][32][33]

Crowd crush incidents

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Fally Ipupa

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Fans of the Congolese national football team at the venue

Stade des Martyrs has been the site of several crowd-crush incidents, which have led to countless deaths and injuries over the years. One of the most significant incidents took place on 29 October 2022, during the Fally Ipupa mega-concert, which resulted in eleven deaths, including two police officers.[34][35][36] Reports from Le Monde revealed that by 3 p.m., the stadium had reached its full capacity, with more people attempting to gain entry.[34] Despite the venue's 80,000-person capacity, over 120,000 people showed up for the event.[34][37] Le Monde reported that the high temperatures precipitated cases of suffocation among some spectators. A fatality was recorded prior to the concert's commencement, with the individual succumbing to asphyxiation.[34] Disruptions were further exacerbated by the actions of police officers stationed at the stadium entrance, who confiscated entry documents from certain spectators and accepted bribes to permit others to enter.[34] This caused chaos near Avenue des Huileries, where two tear gas grenades were deployed to disperse the crowd.[34] A post-concert stampede resulted in additional deaths. The Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralization and Traditional Affairs, Daniel Asselo Okito, attributed the stampede to the organizers, holding them accountable for exceeding the agreed-upon capacity with the police and the stadium. One of the event's organizers was detained by the Kinshasa criminal police around 10 p.m. on the evening of the concert.[34]

Mike Kalambayi

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On 27 July 2024, during Congolese gospel singer Mike Kalambayi's performance, a crowd-crush broke out, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people and leaving many others injured, some of whom required intensive care.[38][39][40] While authorities refrained from speculating on the cause of the crowd-crush, citing an ongoing investigation, the local music management company responsible for organizing the event attributed the chaos to an intervention by security services dealing with potential disruptors.[39][40] Although the concert organizers had initially planned to accommodate the stadium and its esplanade, the rapidly sold-out tickets led to some attendees being turned away due to insufficient space.[39] Some victims succumbed to suffocation, while others perished due to crushing in the stadium, where the playing area, corridors, seats, and stands were overcrowded.[39]

Controversy

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During Laurent-Désiré Kabila's rule, the stadium became the center of controversy and criticism from human rights organizations. It was alleged to have been used as a prison for dignitaries of the former Mobutu regime and individuals suspected of collaborating with it. Reports from organizations like Journaliste en danger (JED), a Congolese non-governmental organization for the defense of press freedom affiliated with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), highlighted the use of the stadium as a military camp, where many people were held for extended periods in dungeon-like conditions.[41]

Other uses

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While primarily serving as a sports venue, the Stade des Martyrs also hosts cultural events, concerts, and gatherings of national significance. Some notable high-profile appearances include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brockhaus, Hannah (2 February 2023). "Pope Francis to Congolese Youth: Prayer is Your Secret Weapon for Peace". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. ^ Harlan, Chico (2 February 2023). "A rejuvenated Pope Francis revels in Congo's energy". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b Says, Felix Muthamia Mworia (2 June 2008). "ExecutedToday.com » 1966: Evariste Kimba and three other "plotters" against Mobutu". Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  4. ^ Say, Michel-Ange Mupapa (2004). Le Congo et l'Afrique à l'orée du troisième millénaire: la pathogénie d'un sous-développement (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Presses universitaires du Congo. p. 214.
  5. ^ "100,000 in Congo See Hanging Of Ex-Premier and 3 Others". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  6. ^ "Francophonie Games in Kinshasa moved back to 2022". www.insidethegames.biz. 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  7. ^ "DR Congo intensifies street security ahead of Francophone Games". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  8. ^ a b Greenbaum, Eli (2017-11-07). Emerald Labyrinth: A Scientist's Adventures in the Jungles of the Congo. Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States: University Press of New England. p. 169. ISBN 978-1-5126-0120-6.
  9. ^ Says, Felix Muthamia Mworia (2 June 2008). "ExecutedToday.com » 1966: Evariste Kimba and three other "plotters" against Mobutu". Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  10. ^ Mwanza, Nelson (2021-04-14). "Africa's Top Five Soccer Stadium by Crowd Capacity - Football World • street footie". street footie. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  11. ^ Infocongo (2021-08-06). "Sport : Le Stade des Martyrs fait peau neuve, les travaux de réfection avancent à grand pas - Infocongo" (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  12. ^ "100,000 in Congo See Hanging Of Ex-Premier and 3 Others". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  13. ^ "Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte - Congo | Sportskeeda". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  14. ^ "Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte - Congo | Sportskeeda". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  15. ^ "Feature story: 14th Francophonie Summit: Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity on the Agenda of UNAIDS and Heads of State". UNAIDS. Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Congo-Kinshasa: Nuit de la francophonie - Plus de six cents artistes attendus à Kinshasa" [Congo-Kinshasa: Night of the Francophonie - More than six hundred artists expected in Kinshasa]. Le Potentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Francophonie: un méga concert de musique à la veille du sommet au stade des Martyrs" [Francophonie: a mega music concert on the eve of the summit at the Stade des Martyrs]. Radio Okapi (in French). 2 October 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  18. ^ "RD Congo: coup d'envoi des 9e jeux de la Francophonie, à Kinshasa" [DR Congo: Kick-off of the 9th Francophone Games in Kinshasa]. TV5Monde (in French). Paris, France. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  19. ^ Kuzamba, Emmanuel (7 August 2023). "IXes Jeux de la Francophonie - Culture : médailles, révélation et déception" [9th Francophone Games - Culture: medals, revelation and disappointment]. Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  20. ^ "EcoNews: "IXes Jeux de la Francophonie: mission accomplie"" [EcoNews: "9th Francophone Games: mission accomplished"]. Radio Okapi (in French). 7 August 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  21. ^ "IX Jeux de la Francophonie à Kinshasa: un "défi relevé" par la RDC qui redore son image à l'international" [IX Francophone Games in Kinshasa: a "challenge taken up" by the DRC which is restoring its international image]. Mediacongo.net (in French). 6 August 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  22. ^ Pinganayi, Glody (2021-04-02). "Elimination des Léopards: et si la pelouse du stade des Martyrs y est pour quelque chose?" [Elimination of the Leopards: and if the pitch of the Martyrs stadium has something to do with it?]. Lemag.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  23. ^ Tshiamala, Stanis Bujakera (13 February 2023). "En RDC, le stade des Martyrs fait-il encore le poids face au stade TP-Mazembe?" [In the DRC, does the Martyrs stadium still hold its own against the TP-Mazembe stadium?]. Jeune Afrique (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Stade des Martyrs: Remy Ngono dézingue les dirigeants congolais" [Stade des Martyrs: Remy Ngono criticizes Congolese leaders]. Universfm.org (in French). 8 February 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d Mokili, Son (10 February 2023). "CAF-Fecofa: le stade des Martyrs est KO malgré des millions de dollars consentis pour sa rénovation" [CAF-Fecofa: Martyrs stadium is KO despite millions of dollars spent on its renovation]. Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  26. ^ a b Sumaïli, Remias (18 April 2023). "RDC: Réouverture partielle du Stade des Martyrs" [DRC: Partial reopening of the Stade des Martyrs]. LEOPARD LEADER FOOT (in French). Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  27. ^ "Non-homologation stades des Martyrs et Kibassa Maliba par la CAF" [Non-approval of Martyrs and Kibassa Maliba stadiums by CAF]. Radio Okapi (in French). 21 February 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  28. ^ Kupa, Gede Luiz (10 February 2023). "RDC: Le Stade de Martyrs non approuvé par la CAF, ça passe pour celui de Mazembe" [DRC: Stade de Martyrs not approved by CAF, Mazembe is OK]. 7sur7.cd (in French). Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  29. ^ "IXe jeux de la Francophonie: les travaux de construction et aménagement des sites exécutés à environ 80%". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  30. ^ "IXe Jeux de la Francophonie : Félix Tshisekedi exhorte les entreprises à pied d'œuvre à doubler d'efforts". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  31. ^ "IXèmes jeux de la Francophonie: quel regard à 24 heures de la cérémonie d'ouverture ... les Kinois s'expriment !". Actualite.cd (in French). 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  32. ^ "Félix Tshisekedi : « Tout a été mis en œuvre pour que cette IXe édition des Jeux de la Francophonie soit un franc succès »". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-07-29. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  33. ^ "Pour le Cardinal Ambongo, les Jeux de la Francophonie sont « un moment de joie immense et de fierté légitime pour tout un peuple »". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g Gisa, Nathalie Sala (31 October 2022). ""On suffoquait": le mégaconcert de Fally Ipupa fait onze morts et de nombreux blessés à Kinshasa" ["We were suffocating": Fally Ipupa’s mega-concert leaves eleven dead and many injured in Kinshasa]. Le Monde (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Stampede at Fally Ipupa concert kills 11 in DRC's capital". Al Jazeera. Doha, Qatar. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  36. ^ Mulegwa, Pascal (30 October 2022). "RDC: le concert tant attendu de Fally Ipupa a tourné au drame" [DRC: Fally Ipupa's long-awaited concert turned to tragedy]. RFI (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Plus de 120.000 personnes auraient répondu présent au concert de Fally Ipupa au Stade des Martyrs" [More than 120,000 people would have attended the Fally Ipupa concert at the Stade des Martyrs]. Mbote (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  38. ^ "Concert de Mike Kalambayi : au moins 9 morts dans des bousculades au stade des Martyrs" [Mike Kalambayi concert: at least 9 dead in stampedes at Martyrs stadium]. Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  39. ^ a b c d "RDC: au moins neuf morts dans une bousculade au stade des Martyrs" [DRC: At least nine dead in stampede at Martyrs stadium]. RFI (in French). Paris, France. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  40. ^ a b AfricaNews (29 July 2024). "RDC: au moins 9 morts lors du concert de Mike Kalambayi" [DRC: At least 9 dead during Mike Kalambayi concert]. Africanews (in French). Lyon, France. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  41. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | République démocratique du Congo (RDC) : information indiquant si le stade Kamanyola, maintenant appelé le stade des Martyrs, a servi de prison, notamment pour les dignitaires du régime de Mobutu et/ou ceux soupçonnés de collaboration avec ce régime (1997–1998)". Refworld. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  42. ^ Cadasse, David (2003-08-07). "Le phénomène Werra". Afrik (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  43. ^ Kanka, Joseph (January 6, 2003). "Congo-Kinshasa: Wenge Musica Maison Mère: Werrason a rempli son contrat au stade des Martyrs". AllAfrica. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  44. ^ Kivuila, Cinardo (2016-03-02). "Fally Ipupa, au Stade des Martyrs, le 25 juin 2016". Eventsrdc.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  45. ^ "Tous les leaders de Wenge Musica se réconcilient à Paris". TOP CONGO FM. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  46. ^ "Stampede at Fally Ipupa concert kills 11 in DRC's capital". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  47. ^ "Héritier Watanabe au stade des Martyrs: «J'ai été interpellé…avec interdiction d'atteindre 80.000 personnes»". Strong2kin Moov (in French). 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  48. ^ "Les jeunes Congolais accueillent le pape François au stade des Martyrs à Kinshasa". RFI (in French). 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  49. ^ Henriot, Marine (2023-02-02). "Avec les jeunes Congolais, François exhorte à rejeter la corruption - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  50. ^ "Controversy surrounds Victoria Kimani's performance at historic concert". Joeros TV. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  51. ^ "Ferre Gola qualifie son concert au Stade des Martyrs comme le plus beau moment de sa carrière" [Ferre Gola describes his concert at the Stade des Martyrs as the most beautiful moment of his career]. mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. February 12, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  52. ^ "Campagne électorale en RDC : Félix Tshisekedi se lance ce dimanche au stade des Martyrs" [Election campaign in the DRC: Félix Tshisekedi launches this Sunday at the Martyrs stadium]. Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. November 15, 2023. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  53. ^ Dimanyayi, Christian (November 19, 2023). "Tshisekedi au Stade de Martyrs : « Certains ont eu le pouvoir et n'ont pas été capables de construire une route ou encore un hôpital, et viendront dire qu'ils vont vous rendre riches »" [Tshisekedi at the Martyrs Stadium: "Some had the power and were not able to build a road or even a hospital, and will come and say that they will make you rich"]. 7sur7.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  54. ^ a b c "Félix Tshisekedi a prêté serment pour son deuxième mandat au stade des martyrs de Kinshasa" [Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in for his second term at the Kinshasa Martyrs Stadium]. mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. January 20, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  55. ^ Gras, Romain (January 16, 2024). "Ramaphosa, Déby Itno, Oligui Nguema… Qui seront les présidents présents à l'investiture de Tshisekedi ?" [Ramaphosa, Déby Itno, Oligui Nguema… Who will be the presidents present at Tshisekedi's inauguration?]. Jeuneafrique.com (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  56. ^ "DR Congo's President Tshisekedi sworn in for second term amid disputes". Al Jazeera. Doha, Qatar. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
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