Last Monday, gunfire erupted in Selembao municipality, south of Kinshasa, Congo. The chaos was traced to Makala central prison, where an attempted jailbreak occurred. Authorities reported 129 prisoners killed, some by security forces and others suffocated or crushed. Reports suggest that nearly 2,000 prisoners are currently missing. Inmates describe a scene of fear, with structures destroyed and women being gang-raped amid the chaos.
The prison break started when the power went out at 9pm, followed by a vehicle entering the prison grounds. Video footage shows men attempting to escape while some were ambushed by guards. Inmate testimonies reveal a harrowing account of violence, with women being raped by multiple inmates. The lack of adequate response from authorities and the dire conditions inside the prison have exacerbated the situation.
Makala prison, built for 1,500 people, currently houses over 14,000 detainees. Inmates struggle to obtain food, clean water, and sleeping space. Many pay guards for better conditions, turning the prison into a “corridor of death.” Rights groups have long criticized the conditions in Makala, urging immediate action to improve the situation.
The incident at Makala is not an isolated event, with previous jailbreak attempts due to overcrowding and dire conditions. The prison population is further burdened by delays in trials, with some prisoners waiting over 20 years to face court. The issue of prison overcrowding and inadequate living conditions in detention facilities is a widespread problem in the DRC.
Following the incident, calls for accountability and justice have been made by human rights activists. The government has launched an investigation into the events at Makala, while the justice minister aims to address the overcrowding issue. However, the blame has been shifted to magistrates by the minister, sparking tensions among various stakeholders. The need for immediate action and sustainable solutions to improve prison conditions remains paramount.
The families of those killed in the violence at Makala are seeking justice and accountability for the loss of their loved ones. A commission has been established to investigate the incident, while human rights activists demand measures to prevent further tragedies. The focus is on upholding the rights of prisoners and ensuring their safety and dignity are protected. The situation at Makala serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Congolese prison system and the urgent need for reforms to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
