Horrific Atrocity in Goma: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo – In a devastating act of violence, hundreds of women were brutally raped and burned alive after the Rwandan-backed rebel group, M23, launched an attack on Goma’s Munzenze prison. The attack, which took place during a mass jailbreak on January 27, 2025, has shocked the world and left the city in turmoil.
Attack on the Women’s Wing of Munzenze Prison
Vivian van de Perre, deputy head of the UN peacekeeping force stationed in Goma, confirmed that while thousands of male prisoners escaped, the women’s section of the prison was deliberately set on fire. “There was a major escape involving 4,000 prisoners. A few hundred women were also held in that prison. They were all raped, and then the attackers set fire to the women’s wing. None survived,” she reported.
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The attack, described as one of the most horrific atrocities in the ongoing M23-led conflict in eastern Congo, has drawn widespread condemnation. Photographs taken after the attack show thick black smoke rising from the prison, confirming the scale of the violence.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Goma
The assault on the women’s wing is part of the broader chaos and devastation in Goma following the takeover of the city by M23 forces. As of this week, reports indicate that around 2,000 bodies remain unburied in the city. Despite the severe violence, UN peacekeepers have been unable to conduct a full investigation into the prison attack due to restrictions imposed by M23, leaving the identities of the perpetrators uncertain.
Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has warned that sexual violence is increasingly being used as a weapon of war by rival armed groups in the region. The use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict zones remains a grave concern, with Goma being one of the epicenters of these abuses.
M23 Ceasefire and Continued Tensions
Though the city of Goma remains under M23 control, the rebel group declared a unilateral ceasefire on Monday night, a move that took many by surprise. Before the ceasefire, M23 forces had been advancing south toward Bukavu, raising fears of further territorial expansion by Rwanda. However, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance), a political-military coalition including M23, has stated it does not intend to take control of Bukavu or other areas.
Conclusion: A Tragic Chapter in the Conflict
The horrific events in Goma serve as a tragic reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lives lost in the prison attack, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis, highlight the urgent need for international intervention and justice. The UN and other global organizations must work together to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that such atrocities are not repeated. The people of Goma and the DRC deserve peace and protection from these brutal acts of violence.