Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported that at least 129 people were killed in a tragic incident at the central Makala prison in the capital city of Kinshasa. The incident occurred as a fire broke out in the prison’s administrative buildings, prompting prisoners to attempt a breakout. Among the victims were 24 individuals who were shot dead, while others succumbed to suffocation in the chaos. An additional 59 people were injured, and significant material damage was reported.
Makala prison, the largest in the DRC, was designed to house 1,500 prisoners but currently holds between 14,000 and 15,000 detainees, most of whom are awaiting trial. Overcrowding has been a persistent issue at the facility, with previous jailbreaks being reported, including a major escape in 2017 when more than 4,000 prisoners fled following an attack by armed individuals. To address the problem of overcrowding, authorities had released dozens of inmates in recent months, but challenges remain in managing the large inmate population.
Amnesty International highlighted the dire conditions in Congolese prisons in a recent report, underscoring the need for urgent reforms to improve the humanitarian situation for detainees. In response to the tragedy at Makala prison, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the attack as a “premeditated act of sabotage” aimed at undermining efforts to enhance prison conditions. Investigations are underway to identify those responsible for instigating the violence, with punitive measures expected to be taken against them.
President Felix Tshisekedi, who was on an official visit to China at the time of the incident, had not publicly commented on the situation, but government officials have pledged to take swift action to address the crisis. Minister Mutamba announced a ban on inmate transfers from the prison and revealed plans to construct a new facility as part of the efforts to alleviate overcrowding and enhance security. The Congolese government is facing mounting pressure to address systemic issues in the country’s penal system and ensure the safety and well-being of detainees in the wake of the tragic events at Makala prison.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation in the DRC, calling for prompt and thorough investigations into the incident at Makala prison and advocating for measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Human rights organizations are closely monitoring developments in the country and urging authorities to uphold international standards of detention and ensure accountability for human rights violations. The tragic loss of life in Kinshasa serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the Congolese penal system to prevent further suffering and uphold the rights of detainees.
