Stade des Martyrs

Etymology and construction Originally named "Stade Kamanyola," the name has its origins in the Kamanyola groupement, within the Walungu Territory of South Kivu Province. It was during these conflicts that Donatien Mahele Lieko Bokungu, then a young Warrant Officer, first distinguished himself, later rising to prominence in the national army. Construction began on 14 October 1988, a date symbolically chosen to coincide with Mobutu's birthday, and concluded exactly five years later on 14 October 1993. Stade Kamanyola was officially inaugurated on 14 September 1994 with a friendly match between the Leopards of Zaire and the Flames of Malawi. In 1998, during the Second Congo War, the venue again became the scene of violence when government troops opened fire during a football match between AS Vita Club and Daring Club Motema Pembe, leaving four people dead. On 5 December 2004, Congo achieved its first victory over South Africa in a historic match at the Stade des Martyrs. On 12–14 October 2012, the venue played host to the 14th summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. From 28 July to 6 August 2023, it presided over the IXes Jeux de la Francophonie, a notable multi-sport event, marking the first occasion that the games were held in the country. == Renovation (2008–2023) ==

Initial efforts By the early 2000s, Stade des Martyrs had fallen into a severe state of disrepair. In February 2006, Radio Okapi described the stadium as "slowly dying", with unsanitary conditions caused by supporters and street children (shegués) urinating throughout the facility. The stench of urine and feces made many parts of the stadium unbearable for spectators. According to local residents and stadium officials, these informal structures had occupied land reserved for future development linked to the stadium complex. The Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) was asked to select an alternative stadium on neutral territory where "home" matches would be played. FIFA granted a one-month reprieve, providing the Congolese government a final opportunity to renovate the stadium in line with inspection recommendations. In response, the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Gervais Ntirumenyrwa Kimonyo, launched renovation efforts on 15 April 2008. The project involved ten companies and was initially budgeted at $3.5 million. Minister of Youth and Sports Willy Bakonga explained the multi-contractor approach was intended to expedite work and meet deadlines. Renovation tasks included refurbishing the locker rooms, upgrading lighting and the electronic scoreboard, installing seat numbering, and constructing a new press tribune. By 4 May 2008, the site still resembled a construction zone with unpacked furniture and construction materials scattered about. According to project architect Trésor Lufwakenda, significant progress had been made, particularly in repainting and refurbishing internal facilities. However, delays and incomplete tasks prompted the government to involve military engineers to ensure the stadium was ready on time. On 19 May 2008, FIFA ultimately reinstated the stadium's eligibility to host international matches. Second and third phase A second wave of rehabilitation began in March 2020 under the Ministry of Sports and Leisure, initially focusing on modernizing the locker rooms. However, progress was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the shipment of essential equipment from Europe. On 9 April 2021, President Tshisekedi launched development and rehabilitation efforts aimed at preparing the stadium to host the 9th Francophone Games. Despite these efforts, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection on 4 May 2021 excluded Stade des Martyrs from the list of approved African stadiums, citing failure to meet FIFA's international standards. On 16 July 2021, the Council of Ministers approved renovation plans for seven stadiums nationwide, including Stade des Martyrs, with projected costs ranging between 3 million and 8 million USD per facility. Minister of Sports and Leisure emphasized collaboration with the ''Société Nationale d'Électricité'' (SNEL) to ensure proper electrification. Renovations included the replacement of the stadium's lighting system, along with plans for the installation of a new artificial turf and seating, featuring a hybrid pitch. FECOFA was instructed to select an alternative stadium by that date or face CAF designating a venue, potentially in the opponent's country. The stadium reopened following the installation of the new pitch. However, after subsequent assessments, CAF deemed the stadium unsuitable on 9 February 2023. The governing body reported that the completed renovations did not satisfy modern stadium standards. Key deficiencies identified included inadequate media facilities, lack of reliable internet connectivity, insufficient press conference rooms, under-equipped medical services, and inadequate locker rooms for referees. On 17 May 2023, President Félix inspected two gymnasiums under construction with capacities of 3,000 and 2,000 spectators. By July 2023, Stade des Martyrs was supplied with water through newly installed cisterns by REGIDESO. On 13 July 2024, Stade des Martyrs, alongside Stade TP Mazembe, received CAF approval to host matches for the 2024–2025 season. == Controversy ==

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. == Other uses ==

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: Concerts and cultural events Political and religious events == Crowd crush incidents ==

Fally Ipupa at the venue|251x251px 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. Reports from Le Monde revealed that by 3 p.m., the stadium had reached its full capacity, with more people attempting to gain entry. 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. 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. 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. Some victims succumbed to suffocation, while others perished due to crushing in the stadium, where the playing area, corridors, seats, and stands were overcrowded. ==See also==