What better way to celebrate one of the most frustrating election seasons, at least in my lifetime, then by reporting on news happening in other countries.

The following information comes from the DW.

An armed militia is responsible for freeing 1,300 inmates from the Kangbayi Central Prison in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo. Modeste Bakwanamaha, the mayor, advised that the group broke into the prison using welding equipment. By the time the operation was over, only 110 out of the 1,456 prisoners remained.

Bakwanamaha stated the following:

“Unfortunately, the attackers, who came in large numbers, managed to break the door with electrical equipment.”

Twenty escapees who returned to the prison urged residents not to protect the remaining fugitives on the run. It is believed that the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), an Islamist militant group, were behind the escape.

The ADF has been active in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the 1990s, and more than 1,000 civilians have been killed by the organization since 2019. Rights groups, along with residents who are fearful of more attacks, believe the jailbreak could “reinforce criminal gangs” in the area.

I’ll have to do more research on the ADF and share those findings with you all in the future. A part of me is indifferent about this story; is this group strictly a terrorist organization, or is there a political motive behind their actions?

To check out the full article, click here. If you have any additional information, feel free to comment below.

Until Next Time…