The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has executed 102 individuals accused of being gang members, with plans to execute 70 more, according to officials.
These executions are part of the government’s “Operation Zero Kuluna,” an initiative aimed at eradicating street gangs, especially the Kuluna gang, which has been infamous for terrorizing residents in Kinshasa.
The executions, confirmed by the Congolese Minister of Justice, took place at Angenga prison in the northwest of the country. The minister stated that the executed men, aged 18 to 35, were classified as armed robbers and “urban bandits,” locally known as Kulunas. Forty-five individuals were executed in late December, followed by another 57 within the last 48 hours.
A new group of 70 individuals from Kinshasa has already arrived at Angenga prison, but the government has not yet commented on their status. Justice Minister Mutamba, overseeing the operation, stated on Sunday, “The third batch will be executed, so the first two have already undergone the measure of execution by the death penalty.”
The use of the death penalty in this crackdown has sparked a polarized response. Some residents have expressed relief, viewing the executions as a means to restore safety in urban areas. Fiston Kakule, a resident of Goma in eastern Congo, supported the initiative, 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 advocates have raised serious concerns about the potential for abuse and violations of due process. Espoir Muhinuka, a human rights activist, cautioned against extrajudicial killings and emphasized the need for strict adherence to judicial procedures and fundamental rights. He warned that political pressure could result in wrongful convictions and arbitrary executions. “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,” Muhinuka said.
The death penalty remains a contentious issue in Congo. Initially abolished in 1981, it was reinstated in 2006. However, no executions had occurred since 2003 until the government resumed capital punishment in March 2024. At the time, the reinstatement was intended to apply specifically to military personnel accused of treason.
Earlier this year, eight soldiers were sentenced to death in May for deserting the battlefield, while 25 others were convicted in July for similar offenses. Despite these sentences, none of the soldiers are known to have been executed.
The government’s decision to carry out mass executions as part of its anti-gang campaign underscores the severity of the urban crime issue in the DRC. Yet, it also raises significant concerns about human rights and the broader implications of using the death penalty as a tool for law enforcement.
