Bunia, 20 July 2026 – At Bunia Central Prison in Ituri Province, Nelson Mandela International Day was commemorated on 18 July 2026 under the theme of dignity, solidarity and hope. Organized by MONUSCO's Corrections Unit, in partnership with the prison administration and several partners, the event reaffirmed that every person deprived of liberty retains their fundamental rights and inherent dignity.
Despite the Ebola outbreak affecting Ituri Province, activities were adapted to comply with infection prevention measures while preserving this annual observance inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison before becoming a global symbol of peace, justice and reconciliation.
"This day carries a message of hope," said Lieutenant Colonel Camille Nzonzi, Director of Bunia Central Prison. "Nelson Mandela himself experienced imprisonment before rising to the highest office. His journey reminds detainees that prison can be a chapter in life rather than its end. Together with our partner, MONUSCO, we remain committed to upholding the fundamental rights of persons deprived of liberty and supporting their preparation for successful reintegration into society."
Over several days, MONUSCO's civilian, military and police personnel joined forces through a voluntary donation campaign, collecting food, medicines, hygiene products and other essential items for the prison's most vulnerable detainees. Beyond this display of solidarity, the event featured a range of activities aimed at promoting health, human rights and social reintegration.
Medical consultations for women detainees were provided by Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI). A discussion forum on the rights of persons deprived of liberty, organized with the support of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), an oral hygiene awareness session, and a donation of medicines from MONUSCO's Moroccan contingent also formed part of the day's activities. Basket-weaving workshops and an exhibition of handicrafts produced by women detainees, who received training and support from SOFEPADI, showcased their skills and their potential for socio-economic reintegration. Juvenile detainees without footwear were also received slippers, while a solidarity meal was shared with the prison's most vulnerable inmates.
For Rosine Flore Mboule, Team Leader of MONUSCO's Corrections Unit in Bunia, the event went far beyond the distribution of humanitarian assistance.
Nelson Mandela International Day reminds us that prisons should not only be places of detention but also spaces where human dignity, rehabilitation and reintegration continue to be promoted. Through this celebration, we wanted to demonstrate that every act of solidarity can help restore hope and confidence in the future.
This initiative forms part of MONUSCO's long-standing partnership with the Bunia prison administration. On a daily basis, the Mission supports national authorities in improving detention conditions, strengthening prison security, enhancing healthcare services and protecting the rights of persons deprived of liberty. Since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak in Ituri, this support has included facilitating the establishment of an isolation centre, providing infection prevention supplies on a regular basis and delivering technical assistance to reduce the risk of disease transmission in the prison environment.
By commemorating Nelson Mandela International Day, Bunia Central Prison reaffirmed that correctional facilities should not merely serve as places where sentences are served, but also as environments where rehabilitation and reintegration are actively fostered. It is a message that reflects Nelson Mandela's enduring legacy: preserving human dignity while offering every individual the opportunity for a new beginning.
-Didier Vignon Dossou-Gbakon
