KINSHASA, Congo — Authorities in Congo have announced the transport of over 170 death row inmates to a high-security facility in the northern part of the country for execution. According to the Congolese Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, 70 prisoners were moved on Sunday, joining the earlier transfer of 102 inmates to Angenga prison located in the Mongala province.
The inmates involved primarily consist of individuals convicted of armed robbery, often referred to as “Kulunas,” a term which implies “urban bandits.” These individuals fall within the age range of 18 to 35 years old. While the minister did not specify when the executions would occur, the move has sparked varied reactions among the public.
Some community members have expressed support for the government’s decision, believing it will help restore order in urban areas plagued by crime. Fiston Kakule, a Goma resident, remarked on the pervasive fear of encountering Kulunas during nighttime hours and believes that the judicial action might reduce urban crime significantly.
Conversely, concerns about human rights violations have been raised, particularly by human rights activists such as Espoir Muhinuka. He cautioned that there could be risks of extrajudicial killings and emphasized the necessity for adherence to legal protocols and fundamental rights. He is apprehensive that political influence might result in misguided convictions and arbitrary executions.
Muhinuka further commented on the complexity of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), suggesting that addressing urban violence requires a multifaceted strategy. He emphasized that combating urban gangs should be accompanied by initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty, unemployment, and social isolation—core issues often underlying criminal behavior.
Congo initially abolished the death penalty in 1981, yet it was reinstated in 2006, with the last known execution occurring in 2003. Recently, in March 2024, the Congolese government announced a renewed application of capital punishment for military personnel convicted of treason. Following this announcement, eight soldiers faced death sentences in May, and another 25 were convicted in July, although there have been no reports of any executions taking place yet.
