Fatshimetrie, the leading online magazine, shines the spotlight on an alarming situation that concerns the provincial authorities of Kwango in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenge central prison, although supposed to be a place of redemption and rehabilitation, finds itself at the heart of a controversy concerning the inhumane conditions in which inmates are kept.
According to the poignant revelations of the provincial minister of human rights, Adélard Nkisi, the Kenge prison establishment has not received a food subsidy for four months now. This administrative negligence has left prisoners in unbearable distress, depriving them not only of their dignity, but also of essential health care.
The finding is all the more alarming as the prison is seriously overcrowded. Built to accommodate a maximum of 50 detainees, it currently has nearly 280, revealing a glaring humanitarian crisis. Faced with this intolerable situation, Adélard Nkisi calls on the responsibility of the central Government to ensure the safety and dignity of prisoners.
To alleviate this emergency, Minister Nkisi recommends the rehabilitation of Feshi prison in order to relieve congestion in Kenge prison and to guarantee detention conditions that are more respectful of fundamental rights. This proposal, if implemented, would constitute a crucial first step towards improving the plight of prisoners and restoring a semblance of dignity to the prison system in Kwango province.
Kwango civil society also joins the provincial minister’s cry of alarm and urges the Congolese Government to act urgently to remedy this unacceptable situation. It is imperative that concrete and immediate measures are taken to guarantee respect for the human rights of prisoners and to restore a minimum of decency and dignity within Kenge central prison.
In conclusion, the deplorable situation prevailing at Kenge central prison is a stark reminder of the urgency of in-depth reform of the Congolese prison system. It is the responsibility of the State to ensure that the fundamental rights of each individual, even those detained, are respected and protected. It is time to act, and act now, to put an end to this blatant injustice.