Congo to execute over 170 people convicted of armed robbery, official says
More than 170 inmates on death row have been transferred from Congo’s capital to a high-security prison in the northern Mongala province where they are set to be executed, according to Congolese authorities. The Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, stated that 70 of the convicts were transported on Sunday, adding to the 102 others who had already been sent to Angenga prison.
These prisoners, known locally as “Kulunas” or “urban bandits,” have been convicted of armed robbery and range in age from 18 to 35. Mutamba did not specify when the executions would take place, but the move has sparked mixed reactions among the population. Some see it as a necessary step to restore order and security in the cities, while others are concerned about the potential for abuse and human rights violations.
Fiston Kakule, a resident of Goma, expressed support for the decision, stating, “We welcome this decision by the minister because it will help put an end to urban crime. From 8 p.m. onwards, you can’t move around freely because you’re afraid of running into a Kuluna.” However, human rights activist Espoir Muhinuka cautioned against the possibility of extrajudicial executions and emphasized the importance of upholding judicial procedures and fundamental guarantees to prevent unjust convictions and arbitrary executions.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is complex, with factors such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion contributing to crime. Muhinuka stressed the need for a multidimensional approach to address urban gangs alongside efforts to tackle these underlying issues.
Congo abolished the death penalty in 1981 but reinstated it in 2006. The last execution took place in 2003. In March 2024, the Congolese government announced the resumption of capital punishment in cases of treason by military personnel. This led to the sentencing of eight soldiers to death in May and 25 soldiers in July for similar offenses, though no executions have been reported.
As the debate over capital punishment continues in Congo, it remains to be seen how this latest wave of executions will impact the country’s justice system and social fabric.
