The escape of thousands of inmates from a Goma prison during an M23 rebel assault led to horrific acts of violence against women. Survivors recount being subjected to rape and witnessing the death of fellow inmates in a desperate struggle for survival amid chaos and neglect.
Survivors Share Harrowing Accounts of Violence Amid Goma Jailbreak
Survivors Share Harrowing Accounts of Violence Amid Goma Jailbreak
In the aftermath of a catastrophic jailbreak in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, survivors recall the chaos, violence, and loss they endured during the tragic events.
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"He told me that if I tried to escape, he would kill me." These chilling words haunt Pascaline, a 22-year-old woman who recalls the moment her tormentor struck in the Mount Munzenze prison, Goma. On 27 January, chaos erupted as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advanced towards the city, leading to a disastrous jailbreak that would claim the lives and dignity of many women prisoners.
Pascaline mentioned being raped by two men after inmates breached the prison's walls from the male prisoners’ section adjacent to the women’s cells. "The ones who were unlucky were raped. The others got away," she recalls, her eyes clouding with despair. Her story reflects the nightmares faced by many as guards abandoned their posts amidst the chaos.
When dawn arrived, remnants of the blaze that engulfed the prison were evident; around 4,000 men had escaped while far fewer women saw their liberty. Horrifyingly, at least 132 women and children died in that inferno, with official sources citing figures higher than 150.
Nadine, another survivor, describes her ordeal, stating, "They took all the women here." In the aftermath of the fire, fear still grips her sleep, forced to relive her traumatic experiences. Enforced imprisonment over a minor financial grievance paired with the psychological repercussions of being sexually assaulted, have fueled her rage against the government.
In contrast, Florence, a 38-year-old survivor, insists on placing blame on the authorities. She recalls how tear gas was fired as women sought to escape, restricting their ability to breathe and intensifying the flames. "When the smoke spread, I was begging God for deliverance from this horror," she shares, emphasizing the inaction of soldiers who were meant to protect them.
Rumors of accountability surround this tragedy, yet survivors like Florence and Pascaline are left feeling abandoned by a government that failed to secure their lives. As Goma steadily falls into rebel hands, the echoes of the disaster at Munzenze prison resonate, revealing the dangers faced by women under the guise of security.
Despite their harrowing experiences, survivors like Sifa continue to navigate their trauma. Recently released from the hospital, Sifa mourns her young daughter, who perished in the flames. "At the time we escaped, something fell on her," she remembers painfully.
The stories emerging from those who lived through the horrors of that night underscore a heartbreaking reality—one that might be swept under the rug as authorities seem disinterested in uncovering the full scope of the tragedy. “No-one will follow this case,” Sifa asserts, highlighting the daunting challenges of seeking justice in a war-torn region. The resilience of these women amid unspeakable loss symbolizes both their suffering and the urgent need to acknowledge and address the systemic failures faced by vulnerable populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"He told me that if I tried to escape, he would kill me." These chilling words haunt Pascaline, a 22-year-old woman who recalls the moment her tormentor struck in the Mount Munzenze prison, Goma. On 27 January, chaos erupted as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advanced towards the city, leading to a disastrous jailbreak that would claim the lives and dignity of many women prisoners.
Pascaline mentioned being raped by two men after inmates breached the prison's walls from the male prisoners’ section adjacent to the women’s cells. "The ones who were unlucky were raped. The others got away," she recalls, her eyes clouding with despair. Her story reflects the nightmares faced by many as guards abandoned their posts amidst the chaos.
When dawn arrived, remnants of the blaze that engulfed the prison were evident; around 4,000 men had escaped while far fewer women saw their liberty. Horrifyingly, at least 132 women and children died in that inferno, with official sources citing figures higher than 150.
Nadine, another survivor, describes her ordeal, stating, "They took all the women here." In the aftermath of the fire, fear still grips her sleep, forced to relive her traumatic experiences. Enforced imprisonment over a minor financial grievance paired with the psychological repercussions of being sexually assaulted, have fueled her rage against the government.
In contrast, Florence, a 38-year-old survivor, insists on placing blame on the authorities. She recalls how tear gas was fired as women sought to escape, restricting their ability to breathe and intensifying the flames. "When the smoke spread, I was begging God for deliverance from this horror," she shares, emphasizing the inaction of soldiers who were meant to protect them.
Rumors of accountability surround this tragedy, yet survivors like Florence and Pascaline are left feeling abandoned by a government that failed to secure their lives. As Goma steadily falls into rebel hands, the echoes of the disaster at Munzenze prison resonate, revealing the dangers faced by women under the guise of security.
Despite their harrowing experiences, survivors like Sifa continue to navigate their trauma. Recently released from the hospital, Sifa mourns her young daughter, who perished in the flames. "At the time we escaped, something fell on her," she remembers painfully.
The stories emerging from those who lived through the horrors of that night underscore a heartbreaking reality—one that might be swept under the rug as authorities seem disinterested in uncovering the full scope of the tragedy. “No-one will follow this case,” Sifa asserts, highlighting the daunting challenges of seeking justice in a war-torn region. The resilience of these women amid unspeakable loss symbolizes both their suffering and the urgent need to acknowledge and address the systemic failures faced by vulnerable populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
