Edited by Umar-Mark Victor
Source; CNN
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by a series of violent attacks on its correctional facilities, resulting in the loss of countless lives and raising concerns about the safety and security of inmates and staff. The latest incident, which occurred at the Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, has left at least 129 people dead and many more injured. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the attempted mass prison break, the response of the government, and the underlying issues that led to this tragic event.
The Attempted Jailbreak
On Monday, September 4, at around 2 a.m. local time, prisoners at the Makala Central Prison attempted to break out en masse. The incident was met with force by state security forces, resulting in 24 deaths by gunshot. The remaining 105 deaths were caused by jostling, suffocation, and other forms of violence, including rape. The Interior Minister, Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango, confirmed the toll and added that 59 people were receiving medical care.
Kinshasa resident, Daddi Soso, described the scene as "gunfire ringing out for several hours" and later saw security vehicles removing bodies from the scene. Graphic videos circulating on social media showed dozens of bloodied corpses on the ground, a testament to the brutality of the incident.
Extensive Damage
The attempted prison break resulted in extensive damage to several prison buildings, including offices, the registry, the infirmary, and food depots. Fires ravaged the buildings, leaving a trail of destruction and debris. The interior ministry released a video showing the extent of the damage, including a large hole in one exterior wall and burnt-out buildings.
Government Response
The Interior Minister convened a crisis meeting with the country's defense and security services to address the incident. The government has expressed relief at the restored calm and announced investigations into the incident. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba condemned the prison break attempt as a "pre-meditated act of sabotage" and barred public prosecutors from transferring inmates to Makala prison until further notice.
The Makala prison was built to hold 1,500 people but was housing over 12,000 inmates, mostly pretrial detainees, before the attempted jailbreak. This overcrowding, combined with appalling detention conditions, has been highlighted by Amnesty International in a recent report.
History of Prison Breaks
Prison breaks are common in the DRC, with several attacks launched on correctional facilities in recent years. In 2017, over 50 inmates broke free from the Makala prison following an invasion by a religious sect. In 2020, a rebel group linked to ISIS claimed responsibility for a jailbreak that freed nearly 1,000 inmates from a prison in Beni. Another prison break was recorded in 2021 at Matadi, one of the country's oldest prisons, which saw the escape of 189 prisoners.
The mass prison break attempt at the Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa is a tragic reminder of the need for urgent reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo's correctional system. Overcrowding, poor detention conditions, and lack of security have created a perfect storm for violence and escape attempts. It is crucial that the government takes immediate action to address these issues and ensure the safety and security of inmates and staff.
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