The calm that usually reigned within the walls of Makala Central Prison was abruptly broken on the night of Sunday, September 1 to Monday, September 2, 2024. Heavy and light weapons fire disturbed the tranquility of this major penitentiary institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These incessant gunshots were the cry of an “escape attempt” that plunged the prison into worrying chaos.
According to the accounts of some inmates, the situation was extremely confusing at Makala Central Prison. In the darkness of the night, several wings appeared to be open and prisoners were trying to escape, under a hail of heavy bullets. The urgency of the situation was palpable, and the security forces mobilized to restore order and ensure the security of the premises. The population of Kinshasa was called upon not to panic, as the government prepared to provide more information on these dramatic events.
At the heart of this escape attempt is a broader context. Indeed, the new Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Constant Mutamba, has set about decongesting the country’s prisons, including Makala. He has already taken courageous steps, such as the conditional release of more than 1,000 prisoners, and has implemented initiatives to improve detention conditions. However, despite these commendable efforts, prison overcrowding and precarious conditions persist, pushing some prisoners to attempt escape, at the risk of their lives.
Makala Central Prison, a symbol of justice and rehabilitation, thus finds itself at the heart of a crisis that highlights the challenges of the Congolese prison system. The authorities will have to redouble their efforts to guarantee the safety of prisoners and prevent new escape attempts. In a country seeking reform and progress, the issue of criminal justice remains crucial, and Makala Prison is its moving and tumultuous theater.