Stade des Martyrs

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

Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte
Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte, Kinshasa, March 2022
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 (1998-10-14)
BuiltOctober 14, 1993 (1993-10-14)
OpenedSeptember 14, 1994 (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)

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, featuring athletics, basketball, football, wrestling, and cycling.[6][7]

History

Etymology and construction

Originally named "Stade Kamanyola," the appellation Kamanyola is rooted in the Kamanyola groupement, situated in the Walungu Territory of South Kivu Province. The region was a border town and historic site where Mobutu's Forces Armées Zaïroises landed a key victory against the Mulelist insurgency and captured the Kamanyola Bridge in 1964.[8] To commemorate this pivotal victory, Mobutu immortalized the name Kamanyola into various aspects of his opulence, including his extravagant yacht, Kamanyola Division, and later commissioned the construction of "Stade Kamanyola."[8] The construction commenced on October 14, 1988, and it was complete five years later on October 14, 1993. The official inauguration took place on September 14, 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 Sese Seko'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

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 June 2, 1966: Évariste Kimba, Jérôme Anany, Emmanuel Bamba, and Alexandre Mahamba.[3][12]

In 1998, during a football match between AS Vita Club and Motema Pembe at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, government troops opened fire, resulting in the tragic loss of four people.[13] On December 5, 2004, the Democratic Republic of the Congo achieved its first victory over South Africa in a historic match at the Stade des Martyrs.[14]

Controversy

In the early days of 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.[15]

Renovation (2008–2023)

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.[16]

In June 2021, the former Ministry of Sports, Serge Tshembo Nkonde, allocated almost $5 million for the Stadium's renovation in anticipation of an inspection visit by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).[17] However, after completing the renovation and applying to host international matches, the CAF deemed it unsuitable on February 19, 2023.[17][18][19] The CAF noted that the Congolese state must complete the necessary work before requesting a new inspection for CAF's approval.[17][18] 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.[17] 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."[17]

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.[20] On May 17, 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.[21] By July 2023, student homes and numerous infrastructures had been rehabilitated, and the Stadium was supplied with water with cisterns installed by Regideso (Régie de distribution d'eau).[22][23][24]

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:

See also

References
  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. Says, Felix Muthamia Mworia. "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. 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. "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. 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.
  16. "Archives des Stade des Martyrs - Page 3 sur 31". Foot RDC (in French). 1987-05-13. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  17. Elisha, Iragi (2023-02-20). "Le ministère des Sports a dépensé plus de 5 millions de dollars pour la rénovation du Stade des Martyrs". Foot RDC (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  18. Sumaïli, Remias (2023-04-18). "RDC : Réouverture partielle du Stade des Martyrs". LEOPARD LEADER FOOT (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  19. "Non-homologation stades des Martyrs et Kibassa Maliba par la CAF". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  20. "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.
  21. "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.
  22. "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.
  23. "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.
  24. "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.
  25. Cadasse, David (2003-08-07). "Le phénomène Werra". Afrik (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  26. 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.
  27. Kivuila, Cinardo (2016-03-02). "Fally Ipupa, au Stade des Martyrs, le 25 juin 2016". Eventsrdc.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  28. "Tous les leaders de Wenge Musica se réconcilient à Paris". TOP CONGO FM. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  29. "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.
  30. "Stampede at Fally Ipupa concert kills 11 in DRC's capital". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  31. "Les jeunes Congolais accueillent le pape François au stade des Martyrs à Kinshasa". RFI (in French). 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  32. 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.
  33. "Controversy surrounds Victoria Kimani's performance at historic concert". Joeros TV. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
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