By Heavy gunfire erupted early Monday morning at Makala prison, Congo’s largest penitentiary in the capital Kinshasa, as inmates attempted a mass jailbreak from the severely overcrowded facility. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya confirmed the incident on social media platform X, describing it as “an attempted escape.”
The gunfire reportedly began around midnight, alarming local residents. By Monday morning, security forces had cordoned off the road leading to the prison. Muyaya urged the population of Kinshasa not to panic, stating, “Security services are on site to restore order and security.”
Makala prison, designed to hold 1,500 inmates, currently houses over 12,000 people, most of whom are awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International’s latest country report. This extreme overcrowding has been a longstanding issue, with authorities recently attempting to alleviate the situation by releasing dozens of inmates in recent months.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba characterized the attack as a “premeditated act of sabotage” against efforts to improve prison conditions. He announced that investigations were underway to identify and punish those responsible for instigating the incident, promising a “stern response.”
In response to the jailbreak attempt, Mutamba announced a ban on the transfer of inmates from Makala prison and revealed plans to construct a new prison facility to address overcrowding issues.
This is not the first time Makala prison has experienced a jailbreak. In 2017, an attack by a religious sect resulted in the escape of dozens of inmates.
Local media reported that security forces killed some of those attempting to flee, though these reports remain unconfirmed. Videos purportedly from inside the prison showed several bodies on the ground, but their authenticity could not be immediately verified.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, currently on an official visit to China, has not yet commented publicly on the incident. The jailbreak attempt highlights ongoing challenges in Congo’s penal system, including severe overcrowding and security concerns.
AP
