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Recent reports from the United Nations reveal horrific details surrounding a jailbreak in Goma, a bustling city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UN has stated that over 100 female prisoners suffered unspeakable violence during the chaos that unfolded last week, with many reportedly raped and subsequently killed when male inmates set the prison ablaze.
Last Monday, the Munzenze prison experienced a mass escape as armed fighters from the M23 rebel group launched an offensive in Goma. Eyewitness accounts, corroborated by an internal UN document, indicate that between 165 and 167 women were assaulted as they attempted to flee the burning prison.
Goma, home to more than a million residents, descended into turmoil as the M23 forces, reportedly backed by Rwanda, rapidly advanced through the region. Streets were filled with devastation, with bodies littered along the roadways and the sounds of gunfire echoing dangerously close to residential areas. Videos captured during the jailbreak depict desperate attempts by inmates to escape a scene engulfed in smoke and chaos.
The total casualties due to ongoing fighting in Goma have been staggering, with estimates suggesting more than 2,000 fatalities according to the Congolese government. Meanwhile, the UN’s assessment states that at least 900 individuals have been killed, with nearly 3,000 others injured, highlighting a significant discrepancy that has raised questions regarding the accuracy of the reported figures.
While the M23 declared a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes earlier this week, the situation remains volatile, as new reports indicate that the rebels have resumed military operations, including a successful takeover of the mining town of Nyabibwe. The town’s strategic location, approximately 100 kilometers from Bukavu—which is the second-largest city in eastern DRC—makes it a critical target for the M23’s continued aggression.
In light of the threats posed by the M23, Congolese authorities have mobilized civilian volunteers to bolster defenses in Bukavu, signaling a community effort to resist the ongoing insurgency.
Back in Goma, the civil population is grappling with the dire aftermath of the violence. Residents face an increasing risk of a cholera outbreak triggered by lack of access to clean water and the presence of decomposing bodies in the streets. According to Stephan Goetghbuer, a representative from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the organization is struggling to manage the influx of patients at their cholera treatment facilities, emphasizing the urgency of the health crisis looming in the region.
More about the conflict in DR Congo:
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