Congolese authorities were warned of a situation “on the verge of explosion” at the notorious Makala prison, which witnessed a deadly riot last week when inmates forced open locked wings, set fires and looted facilities. Letters from the prison’s director, seen by RFI, reveal the Justice Ministry was repeatedly told that Makala’s severe overcrowding and inadequate conditions had created a crisis waiting to happen.
In the early hours of 2 September, the unrest at Makala resulted in at least 131 deaths and over 260 cases of sexual assault.
