A devastating incident has shaken the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as over 100 female prisoners were subjected to unimaginable horrors during a recent jailbreak. According to reports from the United Nations, the women were not only raped but also burned alive following the escape of hundreds of prisoners from Munzenze prison after the M23 rebel group seized control of the city.
An internal UN document obtained by the BBC revealed the harrowing details of the ordeal suffered by the female inmates. Between 165 and 167 women were brutally assaulted by their male counterparts during the chaotic jailbreak, with the majority meeting a tragic end as the prison was set ablaze.
The events that transpired in Goma have sent shockwaves through the international community, highlighting the brutality and lawlessness that often accompany conflict-ridden regions. The city, home to over a million residents, fell under the control of the M23 rebels amid a swift and violent advance through eastern DR Congo. The resulting chaos left streets littered with bodies and reports of missiles striking residential areas, painting a grim picture of the unfolding tragedy.
Witnesses captured scenes of pandemonium as individuals fled the burning prison, with plumes of smoke billowing in the background accompanied by the sounds of gunfire echoing through the air. Footage also showed groups of escaped prisoners roaming the streets of Goma, further illustrating the mayhem that gripped the city in the aftermath of the jailbreak.
Amid the carnage and bloodshed, the UN reported a staggering death toll of at least 2,900 individuals as a result of the conflict, with many bodies hastily buried while others awaited identification in the city’s overflowing morgues. Despite a brief ceasefire declared by the rebels on humanitarian grounds, fresh hostilities erupted with reports of M23 forces capturing the mining town of Nyabibwe, signaling a continuation of the violence that has plagued the region.
As the beleaguered Congolese authorities scrambled to defend key cities like Bukavu from rebel incursions, neighboring countries also felt the impact of the escalating crisis. Malawi announced plans to withdraw its peacekeeping forces following the deaths of three soldiers in the clashes around Goma, underscoring the toll exacted by the conflict on regional stability.
In the face of mounting challenges, humanitarian organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) raised concerns over the deteriorating conditions in Goma, warning of a potential cholera outbreak due to disrupted access to clean water and unsanitary conditions exacerbated by the presence of decaying corpses. The charity’s regional lead, Stephan Goetghbuer, emphasized the urgent need for intervention to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire.
The unfolding tragedy in Goma serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for concerted international
