An escape attempt at Makala Central Prison, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest penitentiary located in Kinshasa, ended tragically when 129 lives were lost early on Monday, September 2, 2024, as per official reports. This occurrence underscored the critical issues of extreme overcrowding and deplorable conditions within the prison. The facility, meant to house 1,500 prisoners, currently incarcerates over 12,000 people.
The turmoil started around midnight Sunday when gunshots were heard within the facility, reverberating through the nearby neighborhood. “Shots were ringing out everywhere,” recalled Stéphane Matondo, a local resident living close to the prison. Military vehicles were swiftly deployed to the scene, and the primary route to the prison was sealed off.
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani stated that 24 inmates were killed when guards fired warning shots to suppress the attempted escape. The remaining casualties resulted from a stampede within the jam-packed facility. Shabani also pointed out that 59 injured inmates received government aid and mentioned “some cases of women raped,” although no further specifics were provided. Part of the prison was also burned during the commotion.
While the official death count has been released, some activists argue that the actual fatalities may be significantly higher. Emmanuel Adu Cole, a prominent advocate for prison rights in Congo and president of the Bill Clinton Peace Foundation, suggested the true death count exceeds 200. Cole’s assertion is based on videos and first-hand accounts from inside the prison, although these sources have not been independently confirmed.
Violence and unrest have been recurrent problems at Makala Central Prison, including a 2017 event in which a religious sect breached the facility, leading to the escape of numerous inmates. The prison’s overcrowded and unhygienic conditions have caused increasing discontent among the inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, responding to the incident, labeled the escape attempt as a deliberate act of sabotage and vowed a stringent reaction. His deputy, Samuel Mbemba Kabuya, held the judiciary responsible for the overcrowding, arguing that the practice of jailing individuals early in their trials has aggravated the dire conditions at Makala.
The government has pledged to address the overcrowding issue, proposing measures such as constructing a new prison and halting the transfer of additional inmates to Makala. However, human rights activists have expressed doubt, referencing the prolonged neglect and maltreatment prevalent in Congo’s penal system.
