The incident occurred in Goma’s Munzenze prison after the M23 rebels reached the city on 27 January, resulting in mass chaos, Guardian UK reports.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have been linked to a horrific attack in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of women were raped and burned alive during a prison breakout last week.
The incident occurred in Goma’s Munzenze prison after the M23 rebels reached the city on 27 January, resulting in mass chaos, Guardian UK reports.
According to Vivian van de Perre, deputy head of the UN peacekeeping force in Goma, the women's section of the prison was set on fire following their assault.
“Several thousand men escaped, but the women’s wing was burned, and all the women died afterwards," van de Perre explained.
The violence is seen as one of the worst atrocities in the ongoing M23-led conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's eastern regions.
However, due to restrictions imposed by the rebels, UN peacekeepers have not been able to investigate further, leaving the full extent of the attack unclear.
A few days after the takeover, around 2,000 bodies were discovered in Goma, awaiting burial. The UN has also warned that sexual violence is being increasingly used as a weapon of war in the city.
Goma, home to more than a million people, remains under the complete control of M23, but late on Monday, the militia declared a unilateral ceasefire.
While fears had been rising that Rwanda was aiming to seize more territory, with M23 forces advancing toward Bukavu, the announcement of the ceasefire raised hopes for a de-escalation.
Van de Perre cautiously welcomed the news but expressed concerns about the potential for further conflict.
“If they retreat, that’s good news. Otherwise, we’ll have a new clash with potentially thousands of additional deaths,” she said.
Van de Perre also noted a shift in M23’s strategy after 2,000 Burundian troops were sent to Bukavu, alongside the Congolese air force's reinforcements.
Despite Rwanda’s denial of supporting M23, van de Perre mentioned that her team had observed Rwandan soldiers during patrols. She urged the UN Security Council to apply more pressure on Rwanda to force negotiations.
The situation in Goma remains dire, with humanitarian aid deliveries and movement severely restricted by the rebels.
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