On September 2, 2024, an attempted jailbreak at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo,[1] resulted in the deaths of 129 people[2] and more than 59 others being injured.[3] A prison official said that no inmates escaped.[4]
| Date | September 2, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Makala Central Prison |
| Coordinates | 4°21′45″S 15°17′9″E / 4.36250°S 15.28583°E |
| Type | Failed jailbreak |
| Perpetrator | Prison inmates |
| Participants | 188+ |
| Outcome | At least 129 deaths |
| Deaths | 129+ |
| Non-fatal injuries | 59+ |
Background
editMakala prison, the biggest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has capacity for 1,500 prisoners,[5] and holds both male and female prisoners.[6] However, Makala prison is highly overcrowded, housing between 14,000 and 15,000 inmates.[7] In 2020, it was estimated that more than 90% of the people held at the prison were awaiting trial,[8] and only 6% were actually serving sentences.[2] Jailbreaks are common in the DRC.[7] In 2017, another prison break occurred at Makala prison, which led to more than 4,000 prisoners escaping.[5]
Attempted jailbreak
editLocal residents reported that gunfire inside the prison started on September 1 and lasted into the morning of September 2. Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani said that 24 inmates were fatally shot by guards as they tried to escape, and that there were cases of women being raped. Authorities have reported 129 people dead, some of whom died by gunfire, others in a stampede.[9]
Material damage
editMultiple buildings in the prison sustained extensive damage,[7] including a part of the prison which the government said was set on fire.[5] The prison's administrative building, food depots, and hospital were damaged by the fires.[10]
Aftermath and reactions
editThe families of the victims have responded by calling for more responsibility, clarity and answers from answers from the government regarding the condition that led to the tragedy,[11] as did human rights groups.[12]
The Congolese government has urged judges to stop sending people to Makala as a stopgap, but the prison remained open.[13] However, no visitors have been allowed in since.[14]
Deputy Prime Minister for Interior and Security Jacquemain Shabani has said that a special commission has been set up to continue investigating "deplorable and unfortunate events".[15] The attempted jailbreak was called a "premeditated act of sabotage" by Justice Minister Constant Mutamba.[9]
The government has also stated that it is taking provisional measures to accelerate the construction of a new prison on the capital’s outskirts.[16]
The Delegation of the European Union to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday took to X to call on Congolese authorities "to quickly shed light on these tragic events in order to establish the various responsibilities, including with regard to respect for human rights and the rule of law."[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Kamale, Jean-Yves (September 2, 2024). "An attempted jailbreak in Congo's main prison in Kinshasa leaves 2 inmates dead". AP News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Makumeno, Emery (September 3, 2024). "More than 100 killed in failed DR Congo jailbreak". BBC. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ Mureithi, Carlos (September 3, 2024). "More than 100 killed in attempt to escape DRC's largest prison". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ "DR Congo: 129 killed in attempted prison break". Deutsche Welle. September 3, 2024. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c "At least 129 dead in DR Congo jailbreak attempt". France24. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ Kamale, Jean-Yves (September 3, 2024). "Attempted jailbreak at a Congo prison kills 129 people as chaos erupts with a stampede and gunshots". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c Kennedy, Niamh; Princewill, Nimi (September 3, 2024). "At least 129 killed during mass prison break attempt in DR Congo". CNN. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ Godfrey, Paul (September 3, 2024). "129 killed, 59 injured in abortive mass prison break in Democratic Republic of Congo". United Press International. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Kamale, Jean-Yves (September 3, 2024). "Attempted jailbreak at a Congo prison kills 129 people as chaos erupts with a stampede and gunshots". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ "DR Congo: 129 killed in attempted prison break". Deutsche Welle. September 3, 2024. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ Associated Press (September 4, 2024), Questions swirl around attempted jailbreak in Congo as families of victims demand accountability, Kinshasa: Newsday, archived from the original on September 4, 2024, retrieved September 5, 2024
- ^ a b Natalie Venegas (September 4, 2024), "Pressure Builds for Investigation Into Jailbreak That Left 129 Dead", newsweek.com, Newsweek, archived from the original on September 5, 2024, retrieved September 5, 2024
- ^ Emmet Livingston (September 4, 2024), Breakout at Democratic Republic of Congo jail draws attention to horrific conditions, Kinshasa: NPR, archived from the original on September 5, 2024, retrieved September 5, 2024
- ^ "RDC: indignations et inquiétudes après les événements meurtriers de la prison de Makala", msn.com (in French), RFI via MSN, September 4, 2024
- ^ Patrick Ilunga (September 4, 2024), Prison break deaths reveal congestion problem in Congolese jails, Kinshasa: Nation Media Group, archived from the original on September 5, 2024, retrieved September 5, 2024
- ^ Emma Burns (September 4, 2024), DRC justice minister announces 129 killed while attempting to escape Makala Central Prison, U. Auckland Law School
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