KINSHASA, Congo — The Congolese government has executed 102 individuals described as armed robbers and “urban bandits,” also known locally as Kulunas, within the past week. This was confirmed by the country’s Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba. In a recent statement, it was reported that 70 additional prisoners are set to be executed, raising concerns about human rights and judicial processes (source: AP News).

The executions took place at Angenga prison in northwest Congo, where 45 men were killed in late December, followed by another 57 executed in the last 48 hours. A flight carrying 70 more inmates from Kinshasa has arrived, yet government officials have remained silent on their current conditions. Minister Mutamba noted that this will be the third round of executions.

The decision to reinstate the death penalty has polarized the public; some citizens welcome it as a necessary measure to tackle rampant urban crime, while others express grave concerns about potential abuses. A resident of Goma, Fiston Kakule, commented, “We welcome this decision... you’re afraid of running into a Kuluna” after dark. Meanwhile, human rights activist Espoir Muhinuka cautioned against the risk of extrajudicial killings and highlighted the need for a fair judicial process, given the complex socio-economic factors contributing to urban violence (source: LA Times). He stated, “The fight against urban gangs must go hand in hand with efforts to combat poverty, unemployment and social exclusion.”

The death penalty's history in Congo is contentious; it was abolished in 1981, reinstated in 2006, and saw its last execution in 2003. Following the announcement in March 2024 to resume executions, the focus was set to military personnel accused of treason. However, recent months have seen the expansion of the death penalty to other offenders.

The escalating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo raises questions over the effectiveness of the government's approach, which some believe may do little to address the underlying factors contributing to crime (source: CNN).