Goma Jailbreak Horror: Over 100 Women Raped and Burned Alive Amid Chaos as Rebels Seize the City
In a chilling report by the United Nations, a tragic and gruesome incident unfolded during a chaotic jailbreak in Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the UN, more than 100 female prisoners were raped and subsequently burned alive as violence gripped the city amid a rebel takeover by the notorious M23 group.
The internal UN document, accessed by the BBC, detailed that between 165 and 167 women were sexually assaulted by male inmates during the jailbreak. After the assaults, most of the victims were reportedly killed when the inmates set fire to the prison, marking one of the most horrific incidents in the region’s troubled history.
The events unfolded last Monday when fighters from the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group stormed the city, triggering a mass jailbreak at Munzenze Prison. As hundreds of prisoners fled the burning prison, chaos ensued in Goma, a city of over one million people. Footage from the incident showed thick smoke billowing from the prison while gunfire echoed in the background. Escaped prisoners were later seen marching through the streets, heightening an already tense and dangerous situation.
Rebel Takeover and Humanitarian Crisis
Goma’s fall to the M23 rebels followed a rapid and forceful advance through eastern DR Congo. The city was soon plunged into violence, with reports of bodies lying in the streets and missiles flying over residential homes.
The UN estimates that at least 2,900 people have been killed since the conflict reignited, with 2,000 bodies buried and 900 remaining in city morgues. Despite earlier declarations of a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, the M23 rebels launched a new offensive on Wednesday, capturing the strategic mining town of Nyabibwe, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second-largest city.
In response, Congolese authorities have mobilized hundreds of civilian volunteers to help defend Bukavu, fearing it could be the rebels’ next target. The civilian defenders have been trained and armed, reflecting the desperation of a government struggling to maintain control.
Regional and International Response
Amid the ongoing violence, Malawi has announced plans to begin withdrawing its peacekeeping forces from DR Congo. The decision comes after three Malawian soldiers were killed in the fighting near Goma. These soldiers were part of a regional peacekeeping force led by South Africa. Despite the loss of 14 South African soldiers, President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to keep South African forces in the region to stabilize the conflict.
Cholera Outbreak Threatens Goma Residents
As the city reels from violence and the trauma of the jailbreak, fears of a cholera outbreak have emerged. The situation has been worsened by a lack of access to clean water, uncollected corpses in the streets, and the general collapse of health services.
Stephan Goetghbuer, a regional leader from the humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), painted a grim picture of the situation. “Access to water has been cut for days, corpses have been lying in the streets, and waterborne diseases such as cholera are a real threat,” Goetghbuer said. “Some of our cholera treatment centers are full and have been expanded.”
MSF and other relief organizations are racing against time to provide aid to the affected population. However, logistical challenges, security concerns, and the scale of the crisis pose significant barriers.
A Pattern of Violence and Insecurity
The tragedy at Munzenze Prison is part of a larger pattern of violence that has plagued eastern DR Congo for decades. The region has been a hotbed of conflict involving numerous armed groups, fueled by competition over its vast mineral wealth. The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda according to international observers, has been one of the most notorious and destabilizing forces in the region.
Calls for International Intervention
Human rights organizations have condemned the atrocities committed during the jailbreak and the broader violence in Goma. They are urging the international community to intervene and hold perpetrators accountable. The UN has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and demanded safe passage for humanitarian aid to reach affected populations.
The Congolese government has vowed to investigate the incident at Munzenze Prison and bring those responsible to justice. However, with the government struggling to maintain control over its eastern provinces, many remain skeptical about whether justice will be served.
The Human Toll
For the survivors and families of the victims, the scars of this tragedy will linger long after the fighting stops. The women who endured unimaginable violence during the jailbreak and the families who lost loved ones are a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict.
As Goma faces a perilous future under rebel control, the resilience of its people and the response of the international community will determine whether peace can be restored or if the region will descend further into chaos. The urgent need for justice, accountability, and humanitarian assistance has never been more critical.