In the depths of Makala, the largest prison in Kinshasa, echoes of the tragedy that struck the facility on the night of Sunday to Monday resonate. A dramatic chain of events that led to the loss of 129 lives, according to Congolese authorities. However, behind this chilling figure lie personal stories, broken destinies, and a harsh reality that Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera reveals to us.
Deputy publishing director of the news site Fatshimetrie, Bujakera is a privileged observer of Makala. Indeed, having been detained in this facility for nearly seven interminable months until last March, he knows every nook and cranny of it. His testimony to Christophe Boisbouvier reveals the dark side of this antechamber of hell, where survival itself is a miracle.
Through his words, striking images of the daily reality of Makala’s detainees emerge. Inhumane conditions, stifling promiscuity, routine violence… so many obstacles to any form of dignity and respect for the person. Makala, symbol of the failure of a failing penitentiary system, becomes the magnifying mirror of the ills of Congolese society.
Yet, behind this darkness, a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon. The poignant testimonies of those who survived Makala, of those who found the strength to remain standing despite adversity, reveal the resilience and strength of the human spirit. They remind us that, even in the deepest darkness, it is possible to find a spark of light.
So, through the bars of Makala, a lesson in humanity emerges. An invitation not to look away, not to forget those who suffer in the silence of the cells. Because behind each number, each statistic, there are lives, dreams, and broken hopes. And it is by recognizing this common humanity, by sharing these pains and these joys, that we can truly move forward towards a more just and more humane world.