More than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in Goma, DR Congo, according to a UN report. The mass breakout occurred last Monday after M23 rebels began taking control of the city.
An internal UN document seen by the BBC states that between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates during the chaos. Most of the victims were killed when the prison was set on fire. However, these reports have not been independently verified.
Goma, a city of over a million people, fell into turmoil as M23 fighters, reportedly backed by Rwanda, advanced rapidly. Bodies were seen in the streets, and missiles were reported over residential areas. Footage from the jailbreak showed inmates escaping as smoke billowed from the prison, with gunfire echoing in the background.
The UN estimates at least 2,900 people have been killed in the fighting, with 2,000 buried and 900 bodies still in morgues. While the rebels declared a ceasefire earlier this week, they launched a new offensive on Wednesday, seizing the mining town of Nyabibwe. Congolese authorities have since enlisted civilian volunteers to defend Bukavu, another key city in the region.
Meanwhile, Malawi has announced plans to withdraw its peacekeeping troops following the deaths of three soldiers. Despite 14 South African troops being killed, President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to maintaining South Africa’s military presence.
Goma residents now face a growing humanitarian crisis, with fears of a cholera outbreak. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that access to clean water has been cut, corpses remain in the streets, and waterborne diseases are spreading.
