Tragedy in Goma: Over 100 Women Assaulted and Killed Amidst Jailbreak Crisis

A shocking report from the UN highlights the tragic fate of women in Goma, DR Congo, where over 100 were raped and killed during a jailbreak amid ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group. The city faces mounting humanitarian challenges as local authorities scramble to restore order and prevent disease outbreaks.

In a chilling revelation, a recent United Nations report has uncovered the horrific fate of more than 100 women who were raped and burned alive during a jailbreak in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. The jailbreak occurred last Monday at Munzenze prison as fighters from the M23 rebel group seized control of the city, leading to chaos and violence.

According to an internal UN document reviewed by the BBC, between 165 and 167 female prisoners were assaulted by male inmates, and many were subsequently killed as inmates set the prison ablaze. Unfortunately, the BBC has not been able to verify these reports independently due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Goma, a bustling city of over one million inhabitants, is now caught in turmoil as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue their aggressive advance through eastern DR Congo. Following the jailbreak, scenes of despair were prevalent, with bodies strewn across the streets amid heavy gunfire and rising smoke from the prison.

Amidst this chaos, the UN has reported that at least 2,900 people have lost their lives in the fighting, with many more bodies buried and others awaiting identification in city morgues. In a perplexing turn of events, the M23 rebels initially announced a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons but promptly launched a new offensive shortly thereafter, advancing on the mining town of Nyabibwe, located about 100 km from Bukavu, the region's second-largest city. Congolese authorities have mobilized civilian volunteers to protect Bukavu in light of rising tensions.

Furthermore, the conflict has prompted Malawi to prepare for the withdrawal of its peacekeeping forces from DR Congo, following the death of three Malawian soldiers during the skirmish. While South Africa, which leads the southern African contingent, has seen the loss of 14 troops, President Cyril Ramaphosa remains determined to maintain South African forces in the region.

As the citizens of Goma struggle to adapt to life under M23 control, health concerns loom large. Experts fear a cholera outbreak as conditions deteriorate. Stephan Goetghbuer, a regional representative from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), warned about access to clean water being cut off, corpses lying in the streets, and the imminent threat of waterborne diseases like cholera. Some treatment facilities for cholera are already at full capacity and require expansion to meet the growing demand.

This tragic episode sheds light on the dire humanitarian crisis in DR Congo, where violence, instability, and disease are posing severe threats to the civilian population.