**Uprising and continued insecurity at Makala Central Prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo**
Makala Central Prison, the largest in the country in the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains in turmoil two months after a bloody escape attempt that shook the country and the world. Detention conditions are still precarious, prison overcrowding has reached alarming levels and insecurity reigns supreme.
The Bill Clinton Peace Foundation has praised the efforts of Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, while stressing that much remains to be done. The prison, designed to accommodate 1,500 inmates, now has more than 9,000 prisoners, including 2,200 military personnel. This extreme overcrowding poses a serious problem for security and respect for the fundamental rights of detainees.
Among the detainees are many defendants awaiting trial, as well as convicted prisoners. Female prisoners are particularly vulnerable, as evidenced by the recent violence suffered during the September riots. The Bill Clinton Foundation calls for the release of pregnant women who were gang-raped for obvious humanitarian reasons.
Despite efforts to release prisoners on parole to ease prison overcrowding, minors continue to be held in appalling conditions. The authorities’ failure to ensure the safety and well-being of prisoners is a humanitarian scandal. Recent deaths in custody highlight the urgent need to act to improve prisoners’ living conditions.
It is essential that the Congolese authorities take concrete steps to address the precarious situation in Makala Central Prison. Protecting human rights, respecting the dignity of prisoners, and combating prison overcrowding must become top priorities. The credibility of the prison system and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo is at stake.