More than 150 female prisoners were raped and burned to death in Goma during a prison break in the DRC, the United Nations said. Members of the Congolese Red Cross and Civil Defense on February 3 carried the bodies of victims of recent clashes in Goma for burial.
Several male prisoners escaped last week and set fire to a prison in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident left more than 150 female prisoners burned to death. The prisoners were reportedly raped.
“Between nine and 13 female prisoners, all of whom had been raped, survived the fire. We have not personally verified the judicial officer’s report, but we consider his account to be credible,” Magango quoted a judicial source in the DRC as saying.
On Monday, the UN-funded Okapi Radio reported that more than 4,000 prisoners escaped from Muzenze prison on January 27, as M23 rebels fought fierce battles with Congolese government forces for control of the city of Goma. Several prisoners were killed by guards during the escape, leaving the prison in ruins.
Two days later, on January 29, M23 fighters, a Rwandan-backed force, took control of much of Goma after fierce fighting. The armed group, along with Rwandan troops, occupied the airport and many strategic locations in the city, forcing residents to flee for days. Only after the situation calmed down did residents dare to return, while Angola urged the leaders of the two countries to quickly hold peace talks to end the conflict.
The escalating violence has caused a serious humanitarian tragedy. DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya confirmed to CNN that 165 women had been raped, strongly condemning the brutality. The UN Human Rights Office also said it was investigating further reports of sexual violence involving the Congolese military and its allies, including allegations that 52 women were raped in South Kivu, including gang rapes.
Amid tensions, the M23 rebel group announced it had captured Goma and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, after clashes with government forces left nearly 3,000 people dead in just a week.
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