A massive prison break in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, resulted in deaths and chaos as the facility housing approximately 3,000 inmates was completely torched early Monday. The jailbreak unfolded shortly after M23 fighters, backed by Rwandan troops, entered the city, according to security sources.
Eyewitnesses reported fleeing prisoners in surrounding streets as gunfire erupted in Goma’s city center late Sunday. Explosions were also heard across North Kivu province’s capital, already destabilized by ongoing militia violence and regional tensions.
The United Nations and Congolese authorities condemned the escalating conflict, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 to gain access to DRC’s mineral wealth. Rwanda denied the allegations, citing the need for defensive measures near its border.
The crisis has prompted international calls for peace, with Kenyan President William Ruto announcing an urgent summit involving DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame. Despite several ceasefire attempts, the M23 continues to advance on Goma, with thousands displaced and a growing death toll, including peacekeepers from UN and regional forces.
As the situation worsens, the UN Security Council has urged the withdrawal of foreign forces while DRC seeks sanctions against Rwanda. The region, plagued by decades of violence, remains on edge as diplomatic and military efforts intensify.
[…] case continues to draw public attention, as advocacy groups and citizens follow developments closely, demanding accountability for the killing of the young corps […]