102 men were executed by the Congolese government in the past week, and 70 are set to be executed today, according to the Congolese Minister of Justice
KINSHSHA, Congo – Congolese government has executed 102 men over the past week, with an additional 70 reportedly awaiting execution. Justice Minister Mutamba confirmed the news on Sunday, stating the individuals, aged 18 to 35, were accused of being armed robbers and “urban bandits,” locally referred to as Kulunas.
The executions took place at Angenga Prison in northwest Congo, with 45 men executed in late December and the remaining 57 in the last 48 hours. Meanwhile, a new group of 70 prisoners recently arrived at the prison, though the government has not disclosed their status. According to Mutamba, “The third batch will be executed, so the first two have already undergone the measure of execution by the death penalty.”
This decision has reignited a divisive debate about the death penalty in Congo, which was abolished in 1981 but reinstated in 2006. Capital punishment had been largely dormant since the last execution in 2003, until the government announced its resumption in March 2024, initially targeting military personnel accused of treason.
Mixed Reactions from Citizens and Activists
For some Congolese citizens, the executions represent a necessary step to curb rampant urban crime. Fiston Kakule, a resident of Goma, voiced his support: “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 activists are sounding the alarm over potential abuses. Espoir Muhinuka, a prominent activist, expressed concerns about extrajudicial killings and the lack of transparency in judicial proceedings. “The situation in the DRC is complex and requires a multidimensional approach. The fight against urban gangs must go hand in hand with efforts to combat poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion, which are often contributing factors to crime,” he said.
Muhinuka also highlighted the risk of political pressure leading to wrongful convictions and arbitrary executions, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to judicial processes.
A Controversial History
Congo’s relationship with the death penalty has been fraught with controversy. While it was reinstated in 2006, its use was primarily reserved for military cases. In 2024, the policy expanded, marking a significant shift in its application.
Earlier this year, eight soldiers were sentenced to death for deserting the battlefield in May, followed by 25 more in July for similar offenses. However, none of these sentences were carried out, making the recent wave of executions of civilians unprecedented in recent years.
A Crossroads for Justice
The recent executions have placed Congo at a crossroads, as the government faces mounting pressure to balance public safety with human rights. While some see the death penalty as a deterrent to crime, others warn it could deepen existing societal fractures if not implemented with fairness and accountability.
As the Congolese government pushes forward, the world watches closely, questioning whether justice is truly being served or if the line between law enforcement and human rights violations has been blurred.
