Stade des Martyrs

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.

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.

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.

Etymology and construction
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's Forces Armées Zaïroises (FAZ) secured a significant victory against the Mulelist insurgency and took control of the Kamanyola Bridge. 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." Construction commenced on October 14, 1988, and was finalized 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'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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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. By July 2023, student homes and numerous infrastructures had been rehabilitated, and the Stadium was supplied with water with cisterns installed by REGIDESO.

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:


 * In August 2003, Wenge Musica Maison Mère delivered a legendary performance in front of 80,000 fans.
 * On June 25, 2016, Quartier Latin International celebrated their 30th anniversary at the Stade des Martyrs.
 * On June 30, 2022, Wenge Musica reunited for another performance at the venue.
 * On October 29, 2022, Fally Ipupa drew a crowd of 120,000 fans, surpassing the stadium's 80,000 capacity.
 * On December 25, 2022, Héritier Watanabe held a concert at the stadium.
 * On February 2, 2023, Pope Francis presided over a congregational assembly attended by 80,000 youthful Congolese and catechists, during which he denounced tribalism, xenophobia, and corruption.
 * On June 24, 2023, Ferré Gola performed at the stadium alongside Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani, attracting over 100,000 fans.
 * On November 19, 2023, Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi kicked off his campaign for his second term in the 2023 general election at the Stade des Martyrs.
 * On January 20, 2024, President Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in for a second five-year term following a highly contested election in front of a large international delegation at the stadium. The event was marked by a military parade and 21-gun salute. Several African heads of state attended the ceremony.