Mass jailbreak as all feminine prisoners ‘raped and burned alive’ says United Nations

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Hundreds of female inmates were raped and burned alive as rebels stormed the Congolese city of Goma, United Nations officials said

The United Nations has reported that hundreds of women were raped and burned alive during a mass jailbreak, as rebels stormed the Congolese city of Goma last week. Amid the chaos, a breakout from Goma’s Munzenze prison saw masses of inmates flee last Monday, with female prisoners facing horrific attacks in their cells.

Speaking on the tragedy, deputy head of the UN peacekeeping force Vivian van de Perre revealed: “There was a major prison breakout of 4,000 escaped prisoners. A few hundred women were also in that prison. They were all raped and then they set fire to the women’s wing. They all died afterwards.”

Eerie images taken at the scene depict thick grey clouds of smoke hovering over the penitentiary on the morning of January 27 – a grim aftermath of the M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, seizing control of central Goma.

Currently precluded from further probing into the mayhem due to rebel-imposed constraints, UN peacekeepers have been stationed in Goma, alongside thousands, in an effort to protect civilians.

With the culprits yet unidentified, the UN office of the high commissioner for human rights (OHCHR) has raised alarms this week regarding the use of sexual violence as a tool of conflict by rival factions within Goma, a city inhabited by some two million souls.

In a dramatic twist late on Monday, the militia declared a unilateral “ceasefire” for humanitarian reasons, heeding calls for a safe passage for aid and the hundreds of thousands uprooted by conflict. The M23 rebels announced the ceasefire would kick off Tuesday, reports the Mirror.

This announcement came hot on the heels of the UN health agency’s report that at least 900 lives were claimed in the recent Goma skirmishes between the rebels and Congolese forces.

Despite Goma’s vast mineral riches and remaining under rebel control, the M23 stated on Monday they had no intention of taking Bukavu or other regions.

“It must be made clear that we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas. However, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,” said M23 rebel spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka.

Congo’s government has yet to make a statement.