DRC: 4600 detainees escape from Kinshasa prison May 17 /update 1

Event

According to local sources, more than 4600 detainees, including potentially dangerous individuals, escaped from the Makala central prison in the capital Kinshasa on Wednesday, May 17. This is significantly higher than the 50 escapees previously announced. Heavy gunfire was reported early on Wednesday, when militiamen from the Bundu Dia Kongo (BDK) mystic-religious cult apparently attacked the prison at approximately 04:00 (local time). The incident allowed members of the cult, including BDK leader Né Muanda Nsemi, to escape.

Large-scale search operations by security forces are likely as they attempt to track down escapees. Security forces are known to be heavy-handed and search operations could result in violent clashes. Nsemi’s escape will also likely trigger further tensions between the BDK and the government.

Context

The BDK is a banned religious-cultural-political movement, created in 1969 by Mwanda Nsémi, which fights for the protection and interests of the Kongo people. The group bases their claims on the centuries-old Kongo Kingdom that was abolished by the Portuguese in 1914. In February, the BDK was accused of inciting violence and was targeted by security forces after Nsémi threatened the government in a video that has been circulated on social networks, in which he questioned the nationality of President Joseph Kabila and asked non-native people of Kongo-Central to leave the province. Police arrested Nsémi and his wife following a violent standoff at their Kinshasa residence on March 3.

The Makala central prison has been known to be severely affected with overcrowding issues for many years. Officials and humanitarian organizations have on various occasions criticized the government's difficulties in feeding and caring for the thousands of detainees, many of whom are held in pre-trial detention.

Advice

Individuals present in Kinshasa are advised to monitor developments and avoid the vicinity of the prison until the situation has stabilized. 

More generally, individuals in the DRC are advised to exercise caution and maintain a low profile at all times. For various security reasons, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country.