More than 170 inmates on death row have been transferred from Congo's capital to a high-security prison in the north, where they are set to be executed, according to Congolese authorities. The convicts, known locally as 'Kulunas' or 'urban bandits,' have been convicted of armed robbery and are aged between 18 and 35.
Seventy of the prisoners were transported on Sunday, with an additional 102 already sent to Angenga prison in the northern Mongala province. The Minister of Justice did not specify the date of the executions.
While some citizens view this move as a step towards restoring order and security in urban areas, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for abuse and human rights violations. A resident of Goma expressed relief, stating that the measure would help curb urban crime.
However, a human rights activist cautioned against the risk of extrajudicial executions and emphasized the importance of upholding judicial procedures and fundamental rights. The activist highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes of crime, such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.
Congo abolished the death penalty in 1981 but reinstated it in 2006. The last execution in the country occurred in 2003. In March 2024, the government announced the resumption of capital punishment for cases of treason by military personnel, leading to the sentencing of several soldiers to death in subsequent months.
