Congolese authorities have transferred over 170 death row inmates to a maximum-security prison in the north for execution. The Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, confirmed the transfer, stating that 70 prisoners were moved on Sunday, joining 102 already at Angenga prison in Mongala province.

These convicts, known locally as “Kulunas” or “urban bandits,” are aged between 18 and 35 and were convicted of armed robbery. While the execution date remains undisclosed, the move has elicited mixed reactions.

Some citizens, like Goma resident Fiston Kakule, support the executions, believing they will curb urban crime. However, human rights advocate Espoir Muhinuka expressed concern over potential abuses and extrajudicial killings, urging adherence to legal processes and fundamental rights. He highlighted the risk of politically motivated convictions and arbitrary executions.

Muhinuka emphasized a comprehensive approach, advocating for tackling poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion to address the root causes of crime. While the death penalty was abolished in 1981 and reinstated in 2006, the last execution occurred in 2003. Capital punishment was recently reinstated for military treason in March 2024, resulting in death sentences for several soldiers; however, none have been executed.