More than 100 female prisoners were tragically raped and burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma, according to a report by the United Nations. The chaos erupted last Monday when prisoners escaped from Munzenze prison after fighters from the M23 rebel group launched a swift takeover of the city.
An internal UN document that was seen by the BBC confirmed that between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates during the breakout. The report also revealed that the majority of the women died after the inmates set fire to the prison. Although the authenticity of the report has yet to be verified by the BBC, the horrific details have raised alarm within international humanitarian circles.
The breakout occurred amid intense violence as M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, swiftly advanced through eastern DR Congo, capturing the key city of Goma. The city, with a population of over one million people, descended into chaos. Disturbing images and videos captured from the scene showed smoke rising from the prison as residents fled and heavy gunfire echoed in the streets.
In the aftermath of the battle, the UN reported that at least 2,900 people were killed, with 2,000 bodies already buried and another 900 still in morgues across Goma. The UN also condemned the violence, which has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Despite earlier announcements of a ceasefire by the M23 rebels, sources say the group resumed their offensive this week, reportedly capturing the mining town of Nyabibwe. The rebels are now said to be heading towards Bukavu, the second-largest city in the region, where local authorities have mobilized civilian volunteers to help defend the area.
As the violence continues, Malawi has begun preparations to withdraw its peacekeeping forces after three of its soldiers were killed in fighting near Goma. The southern African forces, led by South Africa, have suffered significant casualties, with 14 South Africans reported dead. However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to keep his forces deployed in the country.
Meanwhile, the people of Goma are bracing for the spread of cholera. With access to clean water cut off for days and corpses left in the streets, the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera is rapidly increasing. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported that some of its treatment centers are already full, leading to the expansion of facilities to accommodate the growing number of patients.
The situation in Goma remains dire as the population grapples with ongoing violence, humanitarian challenges, and the fear of a worsening health crisis. International aid agencies are continuing their efforts to provide emergency assistance, but the road to recovery in the war-torn region seems uncertain.
