A mass jailbreak unfolded on Monday morning at a prison in Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under siege by M23 fighters and Rwandan troops, a security source told AFP.
The prison, which houses about 3,000 inmates, was “completely torched,” with reports of fatalities, according to the source. Escaped prisoners were seen fleeing through nearby streets, an AFP journalist reported.
Gunfire echoed through Goma’s city center on the night of January 26, 2025, as explosions rocked the capital of North Kivu province. The mineral-rich region, home to over a million residents and nearly as many displaced people, has become the latest flashpoint in a protracted conflict involving M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces, and Congolese troops.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced that DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame would meet within two days for a summit aimed at resolving the crisis. The East African Community will host the talks to address escalating tensions.
The UN Security Council called for the withdrawal of “external forces” from the DRC but did not name Rwanda explicitly. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Kigali to halt support for the M23 and withdraw its forces, a demand Rwanda has rejected, citing security concerns along its border.
Rwanda’s foreign ministry defended its actions, claiming a “sustained defensive posture” was necessary. However, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of a “frontal assault” and called for UN-imposed sanctions.
The violence has claimed the lives of 13 peacekeepers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay, highlighting the deadly toll of the conflict. This latest escalation marks a continuation of decades of instability in the region, driven by ethnic tensions, militia activity, and competition over valuable resources.
