102 killed, 70 more await as Congo resumes death penalty with mass executions
The Democratic Republic of Congo executed 102 men in the past week, with 70 more awaiting execution, according to a statement by Justice Minister Mutamba on Sunday, January 5.
The men, aged 18 to 35, were reportedly armed robbers and “urban bandits,” locally known as Kulunas. They were executed at Angenga prison in northwest Congo, with 45 killed in late December and 57 executed in the last 48 hours.
A group of 70 more prisoners from Kinshasa recently arrived at Angenga prison, although the government has not disclosed their status.
Mutamba confirmed that “the third batch will be executed, so the first two have already undergone the measure of execution by the death penalty.”
Human rights activists have raised concerns about the executions. Espoir Muhinuka warned against the potential for extrajudicial killings and emphasised the importance of adhering to judicial processes.
“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.
The death penalty in Congo has been a contentious issue. Although abolished in 1981, it was reinstated in 2006. The last known civilian execution occurred in 2003. In March 2024, the government announced the resumption of executions, initially intended for military personnel accused of treason.
Earlier this year, several military personnel were sentenced to death for battlefield desertion, including eight soldiers in May and 25 in July. However, none of these sentences have reportedly been carried out.
