The central prison of Walikale, located in the North Kivu region, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has become a real place of death for detainees. Two deaths were recorded on June 7 and 8, bringing the total number of deaths to sixteen since local elected representative Prince Kihangi warned of the inhuman conditions in which prisoners are held. The two dead detainees had been in protective custody for one and two years respectively.
Walikale central prison currently houses 190 people, while its maximum capacity is 50 people. According to Prince Kihangi, more than 95% of detainees are in preventive detention and the conditions of detention are inhuman. In particular, detainees do not have access to drinking water or medical care.
The Congolese government is being criticized for its inaction in the face of the deteriorating prison situation in the country. Detainees can be held for years without appearing in court. Military justice is also having difficulty transferring Walikale’s files to the Goma garrison military court.
The partners in the region and the provincial authorities are called upon to take urgent measures to remedy this situation. Prince Kihangi asks for the organization of a mobile chamber in Walikale and the improvement of the conditions of detention in order to avoid other tragedies.
In another topic, the reintroduction of white rhinos to the Garamba wildlife sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been in the news. Barrick Gold Corporation, a Canadian mining company, has notably contributed to this conservation initiative. DRC Mining Week 2023, an international conference on the mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also took place recently to promote the digital transformation and inclusion of women in this crucial sector of the Congolese economy.