DRC: Around 70 prisoners escape from jail in Kongo Central May 19

Event

Approximately 70 prisoners reportedly escaped from the Kasangulu jail in Kongo Central province in the early hours of Friday, May 19. According to the prison authorities, the inmates were able to break down a gate. Only six prisoners remained in the jail because they were too sick to escape. Police officials said that ten of the escapees have been recaptured. A security operation is ongoing to find the remaining fugitives.

Context

This prison break comes just two days after more than 4600 detainees, including potentially dangerous individuals, escaped from the Makala central prison in the capital Kinshasa on May 17. 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. It is unclear if the two prison breaks are related.

Advice

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

More generally, for various security reasons, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country.