Attempted Jailbreak at DR Congo’s Largest Prison Leaves 129 Dead, Women Raped

An attempted jailbreak at the Makala prison in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has resulted in at least 129 deaths and multiple reports of women being raped, according to Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani on Tuesday. The escape attempt, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, has left the circumstances surrounding it unclear. The prison, notorious for being overcrowded, currently holds around 14,000 to 15,000 inmates—nearly 10 times its intended capacity of 1,500.

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire at around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, which lasted for several hours in the vicinity of the prison, located in a popular residential neighborhood. Interior Minister Shabani announced that among the dead were 24 individuals who were shot after warnings were issued. Additionally, at least 59 people were wounded, many of whom were crushed or suffocated during the chaos. Reports also indicate that several women were sexually assaulted during the incident.

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In the early hours of Tuesday, gunfire was heard again in the neighborhood, causing further alarm. Sacre, a local taxi driver, described the streets as unusually calm, with heavy police and military presence, while an electrician named Daddi Soso recounted seeing security forces removing bodies early Monday morning. Police have since cordoned off streets leading to the prison.

The authorities have not disclosed how many inmates escaped or attempted to do so. On Monday, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya assured the public that the situation was “under control” and urged residents not to panic. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba later announced on X that investigations were underway to identify and punish those responsible for the jailbreak attempt.

The incident has sparked outrage, with the ambassador of Belgium, the DRC’s former colonial ruler, describing the events as “tragic” and calling for a thorough investigation to determine those accountable. The failed escape also caused significant damage to the prison’s infrastructure, including a fire that destroyed part of the administrative offices.

Makala prison, which was already severely damaged during a 2017 attack that led to the escape of more than 4,000 prisoners, remains a symbol of the DRC’s struggling penal system. Human rights organizations frequently criticize the deplorable conditions within the prison, where overcrowding and lack of basic necessities are rampant.

Emmanuel Cole, an advocate for prisoners’ rights, warned of potential unrest following the government’s decision to ban visits to the prison in the wake of the escape attempt. “The situation in Makala could degenerate,” he cautioned.

Local NGOs and citizen movements have condemned the violence, with Rostin Manketa, director of Voice of the Voiceless, calling for a clear explanation of the events that led to the bloodshed. The citizen movement Lucha has demanded an independent investigation into what they described as a “massacre.”

Key Points:

1. Fatal Jailbreak Attempt: An attempted jailbreak at the Makala prison in Kinshasa, DRC, resulted in at least 129 deaths and multiple reports of women being raped.
2. Overcrowded Prison: Makala prison is severely overcrowded, holding 14,000 to 15,000 inmates, nearly 10 times its intended capacity of 1,500.
3. Gunfire and Chaos: Witnesses reported hearing gunfire for several hours during the jailbreak attempt, and many victims were shot, crushed, or suffocated in the ensuing chaos.
4. Government Response: Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani confirmed the death toll and injuries, while the government assured the public that the situation was “under control.” Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible.
5. Infrastructure Damage: The failed escape attempt caused significant damage to the prison, including a fire that destroyed part of the administrative offices.
6. Human Rights Concerns: The incident highlights the deplorable conditions in Makala prison, which has a history of overcrowding and poor living conditions. Human rights organizations and local NGOs have condemned the violence and called for an independent investigation.
7. Security and Public Reaction: The streets around the prison have been cordoned off, and there is a heavy police and military presence. Local residents and international observers are demanding transparency and accountability for the incident.