Recent mass prison escapes in the eastern DRC amid M23 rebel advances have led to public panic. Over 4,000 prisoners escaped, with alarming reports of violence and crime surging in Goma and Bukavu. The situation has deteriorated further due to the collapse of police authority, prompting vigilantism among residents. The humanitarian crisis in the region has intensified, emphasizing the need for urgent attention.
Recent mass prison escapes due to conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have sparked widespread panic. These jailbreaks coincided with the advance of the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, which has captured two major cities in the region within two months, creating significant chaos and insecurity.
Thousands of prisoners escaped from four regional prisons as fighting ensued. Dufina Tabu Mwenebatende, a human rights activist from the Association de Volontaires du Congo, expressed concern, stating, “With prisoners escaping, we feel insecure.”
The chaos intensified during the rebels’ approach, as prison guards abandoned their posts, enabling escapes. Notably, over 4,000 prisoners fled Munzenze prison in Goma when the M23 entered the city, accompanied by reports of severe violence against female inmates.
Subsequent escapes occurred in Bukavu, Kabare, and Kalemie, involving inmates convicted of serious crimes such as murder and embezzlement. A security analyst indicated that the escaped prisoners might seek vengeance against their previous accusers, posing severe risks to public safety.
An anonymous former inmate from Goma described a frantic escape amid violent disorder at the prison, highlighting the desperate circumstances. Residents in Goma and Bukavu reported witnessing escaped inmates engaging in criminal activity, further intensifying community fears.
Following the city captures, police stations ceased to function, leading civilians to take justice into their own hands. The rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo, promises to rehabilitate detention facilities amid rising crime rates, but fears of mob justice have increased.
At a recent security meeting, Julien Katembo Ndalieni, the appointed mayor of Goma, condemned the mob actions, urging the populace to report crimes rather than resort to lynching. The escalation of violence due to M23’s advance has profoundly affected the already dire humanitarian situation, with 7,000 casualties and hundreds of thousands displaced.
The M23, a faction among over 100 armed groups in the DRC, claims to defend minorities including the Tutsi. However, allegations of Rwandan support in exploiting mineral resources persist, although Rwanda denies these claims.
The recent mass prison escapes in the eastern DRC reflect the worsening security situation amid the M23 rebel group’s advances. With the public’s safety jeopardized and instances of vigilantism on the rise, the humanitarian crisis in the region has escalated significantly. Increased vigilance and adequate legal measures are crucial to restore order and protect the civilian population.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
