In brief
The UN disclosed that more than 100 women were raped and burned alive during a jailbreak in Goma, DR Congo, as chaos engulfed the city due to M23 rebels. The report outlines severe humanitarian crises, including fears of cholera outbreaks amidst ongoing violence.
In a shocking revelation, the UN reported that during a recent jailbreak in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, over 100 female prisoners were raped and subsequently burned alive. This tragic incident occurred as fighters from the M23 rebel group seized control of the city last Monday, leading to a massive prisoner escape from Munzenze prison.According to an internal UN document, between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates as they attempted to escape. Many of these women were reportedly killed after the inmates set fire to the prison facility. The gravity of the situation is underscored by conflicting reports, as the BBC has yet to verify the brutal claims detailed in the UN report.The fighting in Goma, a city inhabited by more than a million people, escalated dramatically following the M23’s takeover, which is backed by Rwanda. Chaos erupted as bodies littered the streets and missiles were said to be fired over residential areas. Eyewitnesses captured footage of individuals fleeing the burning prison amidst heavy gunfire, while subsequent videos showed what appeared to be escaped prisoners navigating the streets of Goma.The ongoing turmoil has resulted in approximately 2,900 fatalities according to the UN, with 2,000 bodies buried and an additional 900 reported in morgues. Despite a recent announcement of a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds by the M23, new offensives have been launched, including the capture of Nyabibwe, a mining town located 100 km from the city.Amidst the chaos, local authorities have mobilized hundreds of civilian volunteers to bolster defenses in Bukavu, the DR Congo’s second-largest city. Meanwhile, Malawi has initiated withdrawal preparations for its peacekeeping forces in the region, in light of the recent killings of its soldiers. Despite significant losses, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to maintain his country’s troop presence in disaster-stricken areas.In the city of Goma, where survival has become precarious, public health officials warn of a looming cholera outbreak. According to Stephan Goetghbuer from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), access to clean water has been severely restricted, and the presence of unburied corpses exacerbates the threat of waterborne diseases, with several treatment centers already overwhelmed with patients.This devastating situation in DR Congo signals an urgent need for humanitarian assistance as the violence continues to unfold.
