An attempted jailbreak at the Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, left at least 129 people dead, most of them in a stampede, according to authorities on Tuesday. The tragic incident took place early Monday when inmates attempted to flee the overcrowded prison.
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani revealed that a provisional assessment showed 24 inmates were shot dead by “warning” gunfire as they tried to escape from the overcrowded Makala Central Prison. Shabani shared this information on the social platform X, adding that 59 people were injured and are currently receiving medical care. He also reported cases of women being raped during the chaotic events. Authorities have since restored order at the prison, but part of the facility was burned during the attack.
**Overcrowded Conditions and Previous Jailbreaks**
Makala Central Prison is Congo’s largest penitentiary, with a capacity to hold 1,500 inmates. However, it currently houses over 12,000 prisoners, most of whom are awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International’s latest report. The prison has been the site of several previous jailbreaks, including a notable escape in 2017, when an attack by a religious sect freed dozens of inmates.
Residents near the prison reported hearing gunfire beginning around midnight on Sunday and continuing into Monday morning. Initially, a senior government official had stated that only two deaths were confirmed, a figure disputed by human rights activists who believe the death toll is much higher.
Videos circulating online that appear to be from the prison show bodies lying on the ground, many with visible injuries. Another video shows inmates carrying people who appear to be dead into a vehicle, further illustrating the chaotic and tragic nature of the incident.
Plot from Within and Response from Authorities
There were no signs of forced entry into the prison, which is located in the city center, just five kilometers (three miles) from the presidential palace. The attempted escape is believed to have been orchestrated from within the prison by inmates in one of the facility’s wings, according to Deputy Justice Minister Mbemba Kabuya, who spoke to local media outlet Top Congo FM.
Following the attack, the road leading to the prison was cordoned off, and a panel was convened by authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Makala, like many other prisons in Congo, is severely overcrowded, leading to dire conditions. Activists have noted that many inmates have died from starvation, and efforts have been made to release scores of prisoners this year to reduce congestion in the prison system.
Government’s Stand on the Incident
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba condemned the attack, labeling it a “premeditated act of sabotage.” He promised a “stern response” against those who “instigated these acts of sabotage.” In response to the incident, Mutamba also announced a ban on transferring inmates from the prison and proposed plans to build a new facility as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding in the country’s penal system.
This latest jailbreak attempt highlights the severe conditions within Congo’s prisons, drawing international attention to the need for urgent reform and humanitarian assistance. With a capacity far below the current inmate population, the Makala Central Prison exemplifies the challenges faced by the Congolese government in managing its correctional facilities amidst a growing number of pre-trial detainees and limited resources.
While the government has taken steps to decongest prisons by releasing some inmates, the scale of the problem suggests that more comprehensive measures are needed to address the underlying issues of overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and human rights abuses. The tragic events of the attempted jailbreak serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform within Congo’s criminal justice system.
