Munzenze Prison in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), became a living nightmare for its inmates. As chaos unfolded, prisoners faced unimaginable horrors, with many women subjected to sexual violence, and others perishing in a devastating fire.
Pascaline, a 22-year-old onion seller, was among those who survived the ordeal. Accused of theft by her employer, she found herself trapped in the prison’s women’s section when pandemonium struck. As male prisoners from the adjacent “Safina” block invaded, she became a victim of brutal sexual violence. “He told me that if I tried to escape, he would kill me,” she recounted. The first attack was so violent that she lost consciousness, only to be assaulted again later.
Nadine, also 22, endured a similar fate. Imprisoned over an unpaid debt, she too was raped by two men. “They took all the women here,” she told the BBC, expressing outrage at the government’s failure to protect its citizens. “I don’t think that justice can exist in Congo.”
As Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advanced towards Goma, most prison guards fled, leaving the inmates vulnerable. Gunfire rang out in the city, and a fire, allegedly set by escaping male prisoners, soon engulfed the facility. According to sources, at least 132 female inmates and 25 children burned to death. A UN official cited reports suggesting the death toll was as high as 153 women.
Florence, a 38-year-old survivor, described the horrific scene. “The prison was surrounded by soldiers and police who, instead of helping, fired bullets and tear gas at us,” she said. The tear gas intensified the flames, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Sifa, another survivor, lay in a hospital tent, her body covered in burns. She had entered Munzenze with her two-year-old daughter, Esther, accused of a robbery she insists she did not commit. Tragically, Esther perished in the fire. “I had Esther on my back. When we wanted to escape, something fell on her. A bomb? I don’t know. She died on the spot.”
Despite the tragedy, no investigation has been conducted. Neither the M23 rebels who now control Goma nor the DRC government have sought testimonies from the survivors. As the dust settles over Munzenze, the cries of the victims remain unheard, their suffering a stark reminder of the brutal conflict engulfing the region.
