DRC Conflict: What happened during Goma’s prison break?

Summary

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Africa Daily – DRC Conflict: What Happened During Goma’s Prison Break?

Host: Alan Kasuja, BBC World Service
Date: February 25, 2025

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Overview

This episode delves into one of the most harrowing events during the recent conflict in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—the Monzenze prison break and subsequent fire of January 27, 2025. With claims of rebel involvement, government failures, and devastating human cost, host Alan Kasuja speaks to survivors and victims’ families to reconstruct what happened and reflect on its broader implications. The episode features testimonies from Mwamisio, a former prisoner and activist, and Lumumba, whose aunt perished in the blaze.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background to the Goma Crisis

• Conflict Context:
  • On January 27, 2025, rebels entered Goma, a crucial city near Rwanda’s border. The Congolese government accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies ([00:03]).
  • The violence has resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths in the city, according to the UN ([00:17]).

2. The Prison Break and Fire

• Immediate Events:

  • Footage shows inmates escaping as flames engulf Monzenze prison. Reports soon emerge of horrific atrocities, including the burning and deaths of inmates and systematic sexual violence against female prisoners ([00:40]).
  • “The prison started to burn. When the police officers saw that the fire was intensifying and that women had died on the other side, they fled.” — Mwamisio ([01:01], [02:51]).

• Casualty Estimates:

  • Of around 165 female detainees, the UN reports that almost all were subjected to sexual violence; only 12 women were rescued, suggesting at least 153 died ([01:12]).

  • “She was burnt. The women were burnt to a high degree. It wasn’t easy to recognize them.” — Lumumba ([01:32], [11:47]).

3. Survivor Testimony: Mwamisio (Political Prisoner & Activist)

• The Day’s Chaos:

  • “It was around 9am that we saw the fire coming from the women's PR... The fire was coming from the women's side and from our side too. The fire started. The prison started to burn.” ([02:51])
  • “When the police officer saw that the fire was intensifying and that women had died on the other side, they fled.” ([03:54])

• Escape & Aftermath:

  • Prisoners escaped by climbing or jumping a 9-meter fence, sustaining injuries. Outside, the city was filled with gunfire and explosions ([04:08]-[04:47]).
  • Some prisoners died from stray bullets and not knowing where to go ([04:47]).

• Women and Children:

  • “We were told that the children had come out safe and sound, but the women had not. There were 65 children.” ([05:19])
  • Only one child is believed to have survived ([05:40]-[05:45]).

• Origin of the Fire:

  • Conflicting accounts: police or prisoners may have started the fire. Blame often placed on police refusal to open prison doors, trapping people inside ([06:01]-[06:55]).
  • “If they had been able to open the door, there would be no fire. It was because the police refused to open the door that the fire started and people died.” ([06:01])

• Conditions in Prison:

  • “We slept like animals. We didn’t eat like humans. Even animals are better fed than we are.” ([07:21])
  • Many died from lack of care for even minor fevers ([07:21]).

• Fears for Future:

  • Mwamisio has fled the country; fears re-arrest by either side ([07:49]-[08:23]).

4. Family Testimony: Lumumba (Lost His Aunt)

• Aunt’s Imprisonment:

  • Lumumba’s aunt was imprisoned in 2021 for belonging to a church (Wazelendo) that protested MONUSCO’s presence, leading to a deadly government crackdown ([09:11]).
  • “Over a hundred people died. And those who escaped were put in prison, including my aunt.” ([09:11])

• Events during the Fire:

  • The women’s wing guard fled with the key, trapping most women inside. Only seven women survived out of 224 ([09:45]).
  • “All the children died. But seven women managed to leave to escape.” ([09:45])

• After the Tragedy:

  • Body identification was nearly impossible due to burns:
    • “She was burnt. The women were burnt to a high degree. It wasn’t easy to recognize them... She managed to identify the child through her hair because she had dreadlocks.” ([11:47])

• Red Cross & Burials:

  • “The charred remains of the women in the prison were taken in three rounds by the Red Cross... They took them... brought them back to the morgue. But they were buried by the same Red Cross service people.” ([12:45])

• Family’s Response:

  • “We are saddened because our mother had her whole life ahead of her... But here she is, dead in this fire because the Congolese government didn’t know how to... protect them from all this evil.” ([13:08])

• Seeking Justice:

  • “We have to talk to the world, go to the higher authorities like the UN... let everyone know what happened in Goma. All these dead people are asking for their rights.” ([14:10])

5. Official Response

• The BBC reached out to the Congolese government for comment; no officials were available ([14:47]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On State Responsibility:
  • “To die in the hands of the state, that’s something. We can’t just let [go] passion.” — Lumumba ([13:13])
• On Survival:
  • “We didn't know exactly what was going on outside... As the fire had blocked the road leading to the gate, we decided to go over the fence... Several people broke their hands or legs, but we jumped anyway.” — Mwamisio ([04:08])
• On Conditions:
  • “Even dogs are fed meat to keep them healthy, but not us.” — Mwamisio ([07:21])
• On the Need for Justice:
  • “All these dead people are asking for their rights. Yes, but they must be given their rights. Without their rights, they cannot rest in peace.” — Lumumba ([14:10])

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Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 - 01:01 | Goma falls: Conflict context, UN casualty estimate | | 01:01 - 01:32 | Prison fire, reports of sexual violence, UN account | | 02:51 - 04:47 | Mwamisio recounts fire outbreak and escape | | 06:01 - 06:55 | Theories on what started the fire | | 07:21 - 07:49 | Prison conditions | | 08:52 - 09:45 | Lumumba discusses his aunt's capture and fate during fire | | 09:45 - 10:36 | Low survival rate among women and children | | 11:47 - 12:45 | Attempts to identify remains; Red Cross burials | | 13:13 - 14:10 | Family feelings, grief, and critique of authorities | | 14:10 - 14:47 | Call for international attention and justice |

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Conclusion

This episode offers a powerful, detailed look at the Monzenze prison tragedy in Goma, highlighting failings by authorities, the horrors faced by prisoners, and the ongoing fight for justice by surviving relatives. Through firsthand accounts, the episode humanizes the tragic statistics with vivid, deeply emotional narratives and calls for global attention to DRC’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Transcript

[A]

Almost a month ago, on 27 January, rebels marched into the region's capital, Coma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese government say the rebels are backed by Rwanda with troops and artillery, a claim the Rwandan government has forcefully denied. In the time since, almost 3,000 people have been killed in the the city, according to the United Nations. But today we are going back to that day, to one of the worst reported atrocities of this conflict. To hear accounts of what happened in the city's Monzense prison. You may remember the footage from the time of inmates running from the prison as flames spread behind them. But then more troubling accounts followed with reports that scores of women prisoners were raped by the male inmates and and killed when the prison was set on fire.

[B]

The prison started to burn. When the police officers saw that the fire was intensifying and that women had died on the other side, they fled.

[A]

Speaking to the BBC, the UN said that of the approximately 165 female detainees, most would have been subject to sexual violence. It says according to reliable sources, only 12 women were rescued from the fire, suggesting at least 150, 53 died.

[C]

She was burnt. The women were burnt to a high degree. It wasn't easy to recognize them. She was able to identify the child through her hair because she had dreadlocks. But I couldn't identify our mom.

[A]

So today on the podcast, I'm going to try to find out more about what happened and to hear from two of those impacted. A prisoner who was there that night and a relative of one of the women who died. Just to note that some of the accounts are explicit and very troubling. So what happened at Monzense Prison? I'm Alan Kasuja and this is Africa Daily. Now, Goma is an important city with 1 million inhabitants. It's a busy commercial hub, great close to Rwanda's border. But on 27 January 2025, the city was plunged into chaos, with bodies in the streets and measles reported flying over residential homes. One person who was in the prison at the time of these events was Mwamisio, a political prisoner and activist with the peaceful campaign group Lucha.

[B]

It was around 9am that we saw the fire coming from the women's PR. The bullets were crackling outside the prison, but we didn't know if the M23 rebels were already in town or if it was our army. When it got light around midday, some of the prisoners climbed over the fence and saw that it was our police outside the prison firing in disorder so they asked them to open the door for us. As rumor had it that the rebels were already occupying the town, the policemen categorically refused. Meanwhile, the fire was coming from the women's side and from our side too. The fire started. The prison started to burn. We were running out of paths because the fire was so intense. When the police officer saw that the fire was intensifying and that women had died on the other side, they fled.

[A]

So it's when the police fled that you escaped?

[B]

We decided to escape because the fire was really intense.

[A]

You weren't scared?

[B]

We were scared because we didn't know exactly what was going on outside. We didn't know whether it was the rebels or the government controlling the town. As the fire had blocked the road leading to the gate, we decided to go over the fence. The fence is about 9 meters high. Several people broke their hands or legs, but we jumped anyway. Once outside, we learned that the women had been burned and almost all of them were dead.

[A]

When you escaped, where did you go?

[B]

We wandered around town because there were bombs going off and gunfire could be heard throughout the town. Everyone went their own way. If you found a family who agreed to take you in, you stayed there. But the bullets were still flying. And several prisoners from outside Goma died because they didn't know where to go. Many died from stray bullets that day.

[A]

What have you learnt about what happened at the women's prison?

[B]

I found out that morning because when we went outside and asked about the prisoners, the children and the women too, we were told that the children had come out safe and sound, but the women had not. There were 65 children.

[A]

Did they all get out?

[B]

Only one got out.

[A]

How old were the children?

[B]

One to six years old.

[A]

Now, we can't verify any of these numbers that Mamisio gave us, but both guests said children had died in the fire. So I asked him, did he know how that fire had started?

[B]

Some say it was the police officers who started the fire. Others say it was the prisoners themselves. When the police refused to open the door. The police had to open the door because the rebels were already in town. If they had been able to open the door, there would be no fire. It was because the police refused to open the door that the fire started and people died. You know, in prison, some people were afraid because the rebels don't know justice or human rights. They could arrive in prison and kill everyone. That's why the prisoners were afraid and asked the police to open the door. I think that was the reason for the fire, because the police refused to open the door, knowing that the city had already fallen.

[A]

But you're not wanted by the government that imprisoned you.

[B]

The government can look for us afterwards, when they are back in town. That's when they can look for us. I left the country because if I'd gone to Kinshasa, the government could have arrested me and said, you are our prisoner. We are arresting you.

[A]

And what was life like in prison?

[B]

The conditions for a good night's sleep weren't there. We slept like animals. We didn't eat like humans. Even animals are better fed than we are. Many people died from a lack of care. If you caught just a little fever, it could kill you. So we lived like animals. Even dogs are fed meat to keep them healthy, but not us.

[A]

Will you still be able to live in the drc?

[B]

At the moment, it's difficult to return to the Congo. But when the situation calms down again, I could return to the drc. But I won't be able to relax in the rebel zone because I spent three years in prison, not with the rebels, but with the government. That's why there's no good environment for me in either camp.

[A]

You're listening to the Africa Daily Podcast on the BBC with me, Alan Kasuj. Year and today hearing from people affected by the prison break and fire in Mzendze prison, which is in Goma when M23 rebels took the city. Lumumba lost his aunt during the jailbreak and is still clinging onto hope that he might find out what happened to her.

[C]

We lost our mom, an aunt. She was in Munzenze prison for a year. She is my father's wife, uncle, little brother. In French we call her Taunte Paternel because she is the wife of our uncle.

[A]

What was she doing in prison?

[C]

She was imprisoned on 30 August 2021 because she belonged to the church of a man called Ephraim Bissimwa, whose church was called Wazelendo. And this church was demanding the departure of Monusk from Goma and from the drc. Then that day, the Congolese army, under the guard of the Congolese president, went to the church and fired live ammunition at the Christians. I don't know if I should call them Christians or just the believers in that church. They were shot. Many perished. Over a hundred people died. And those who escaped were put in prison, including my aunt. They were taken to court, convicted, and then put in prison here in Munzeli. But now, on the 27th of January this year, when Goma fell into the hands of the M23. The prisoners forced themselves to leave the prison. But the woman guarding the prison, in the women's wing, fled with the key. That's how many died inside. There were 224 of them and only seven women survived. But all the other women died and their babies at breastfeeding age who were in prison with their mothers. Many died. All the children died. But seven women managed to leave to escape.

[A]

On that day, where were you and how did you get the news? How did you take the news?

[C]

It was on a Monday and it was in the morning, around 7am and it was the 27th of January. I was at home. It's not far from Mnzenze prison. Munzenze is in the Virunga district and my home is in Mbanga north. In other words, it's not that far. When the prison caught fire, as I had other friends who were there, lucha activists like Mr. Mwamiso King, who was inside, and another close friend who is a member of Mr. Moise Katumbi's opposition political party, Ensembla Pula Republik. I told myself to get closer and see what was going on. I got closer and saw that the men's side was on fire. The men's wing had caught fire, but people weren't talking about it. And some people had died there too. Many were sick. Many were sick. People who were in the prison dispensary. They died.

[A]

Were you able to identify the bodies of your relatives after the fire?

[C]

She was burnt. The women were burnt to a high degree. It wasn't easy to recognize them. They were really burnt. A young lady came to see her mother, who was also inside. The mother with the child. She managed to identify the child, but not the mother. But she was able to identify the child through her hair because she had dreadlocks. But I couldn't identify our mom and we organized a morning. But at the men's prison, my friends came out and the ones I told you about, one a lucha activist and the other from the Ensemble Republic political party. But on the woman's side. I didn't recognize our mother. And she died like that.

[A]

But how were the women who died in the fire at the women's prison buried without being identified?

[C]

The charred remains of the women in the prison were taken in three rounds by the Red Cross. They took them in three waves. The first round, the second round and the third round. So we met with the Red Cross who took them and brought them back to the morgue. But they were buried by the same Red Cross service people.

[A]

How do the families of these women.

[B]

Who were killed feeling?

[C]

Me, we in our family are saddened. It's true. We've organized a mourning period, but we are saddened because our mother had her whole life ahead of her and she had plans for her life in the days to come. But here she is, dead in this fire because the Congolese government didn't know how to do what we say in French, dirige, c' est prevoir, which means to lead is to foresee. They didn't think about tomorrow, how to get the prisoners out, take them to another prison in the town of Bukavu, or to Engenga in Ecuador, or how to protect them from all this evil. But that's what hurts us now. Because they were in the hands of the state, they died in the hands of the state. And to die in the hands of the state, that's something. We can't just let passion.

[A]

What plans do you have for the future?

[C]

To tell you the truth, I myself told the family that we can't leave things like that. We have to talk to the world, go to the higher authorities like the un, talk to Monusco, talk to the Africa Union in Addis Ababa, let everyone know what happened in Goma. All these dead people are asking for their rights. Yes, but they must be given their rights. Without their rights, they cannot rest in peace.

[A]

Now the BBC has reached out to the Congolese government, but none have been available for further interview. My thanks to Lumumba and Mamiso for speaking to me and also to our local fixer, Innocence, for his help setting this podcast up. Africa Dale is a BBC World Service production and my producer today was Ikaba Koi. Our editors, my Linda Zachiri and Simon Peeks and you know where we are. Email usafricadailybc.co.uk or just come to X, you'll find me there. My handle and that's with two Js. Thank you for listening.