In the Democratic Republic of Congo, an escape attempt early Monday morning, September 2, 2024, at Makala Central Prison located in Kinshasa led to the death of 129 individuals, as per official accounts. This tragic event underscores the severe overcrowding and appalling conditions of the prison. The prison, designed to accommodate 1,500 inmates, currently houses over 12,000.
The disorder started around midnight on Sunday when gunfire echoed from within the prison, alarming the nearby residential area. “Shots were ringing out everywhere,” recalled Stéphane Matondo, a resident living close to the prison. Military vehicles promptly arrived at the scene, and access to the main road leading to the prison was restricted.
According to Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani, 24 prisoners were fatally shot by guards during the escape attempt. The rest of the casualties occurred due to a stampede within the overpopulated facility. Shabani also reported that 59 injured prisoners received medical attention from government facilities. He mentioned “some cases of women raped” but did not elaborate.
While the official death count is stated as 129, some activists believe that the actual number could be much higher. Based on video evidence and eyewitness accounts from inside the prison, Emmanuel Adu Cole, a respected prison rights advocate in Congo and the president of the Bill Clinton Peace Foundation, estimates that the death toll exceeded 200. However, this evidence has not yet been independently corroborated.
Makala Central Prison is notorious for its history of violence and disorder, including an incident in 2017 when a religious sect stormed the prison, freeing dozens of inmates. The overcrowded and unsanitary conditions have led to mounting frustration among prisoners, most of whom are still awaiting trial.
After the event, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the attempted jailbreak as a premeditated act of sabotage and vowed a stern response. Deputy Justice Minister Samuel Mbemba Kabuya blamed the judiciary for the overcrowding, arguing that the policy of detaining individuals early in their trials has worsened the conditions at Makala.
The government has committed to addressing the overcrowding issue by constructing a new prison and ceasing the transfer of more inmates to Makala. Nevertheless, human rights activists remain doubtful in light of the prolonged neglect and mistreatment within Congo’s penal system.