An attempted jailbreak at the Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest jail, Makala Central Prison, in Kinshasa, resulted in the deaths of 129 people early Monday morning, September 2, 2024, according to official reports. The incident highlighted the severe overcrowding and dire conditions at the prison, which houses more than 12,000 inmates in a facility designed for just 1,500.
The chaos began around midnight Sunday when gunfire erupted within the prison, echoing throughout the surrounding neighborhood. “Shots were ringing out everywhere,” said Stéphane Matondo, a resident who lives near the prison. Military vehicles arrived quickly at the scene, and the main road to the prison was blocked off.
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani reported that 24 inmates were fatally shot by guards who fired warning shots as the prisoners attempted to escape. The remaining deaths were attributed to a stampede within the overcrowded facility. Shabani also noted that 59 injured inmates were taken into care by the government. He mentioned “some cases of women raped” but did not provide further details.
Although the official death toll was reported, some activists suspect that the actual number may be significantly higher. Emmanuel Adu Cole, a prominent prison rights advocate in Congo and the president of the Bill Clinton Peace Foundation asserted that the true death count surpassed 200. Cole mentioned that many individuals were shot, basing his claim on videos and eyewitness reports from within the prison. However, these videos have not been independently verified.
Makala Central Prison has a history of violence and unrest, including a 2017 incident when members of a religious sect stormed the facility and freed dozens of inmates. The overcrowded and unsanitary conditions have been a source of growing frustration among the inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial.
Following the incident, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba characterized the attempted jailbreak as a premeditated act of sabotage and promised a strict response. His deputy, Samuel Mbemba Kabuya, criticized the judiciary for the overcrowding, contending that the practice of incarcerating individuals early in their trials has exacerbated the dire conditions at Makala.
The government has promised to take action to alleviate the overcrowding, including building a new prison and banning the transfer of additional inmates to Makala. However, human rights activists remain skeptical, citing the long-standing neglect and abuse within Congo’s penal system.
