DR Congo Executes 102 Death Row Inmates, 70 More Pending Execution

Inmates Sentenced for Executions © AP

By Edward Francis Dalliah

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recently executed 102 male inmates convicted of armed robbery at Angenga prison in northwest Congo. The men, aged between 18 and 35, were identified as “urban bandits” or "Kulunas" who were involved in armed robberies.

The “Kulunas” are notorious street gangs operating in DR Congo. These gangs are known for their violent methods, including armed robbery and assaults, often using machetes to intimidate and harm their victims. The country has faced significant challenges, including political instability, economic hardship, and armed conflict, which have contributed to the proliferation of such gangs.

The country is rich in natural resources, but decades of mismanagement, corruption, and conflict have left it struggling economically. As a result, many young people in urban areas with limited access to education and employment opportunities are vulnerable to joining criminal organisations like the Kulunas.

Despite opposition from Amnesty International, which voiced concerns over the risk of mass executions and the lack of reliable information on those sentenced to death, the DR Congo government went ahead with its decision. The Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International, Sarah Jackson, has called on the President to “immediately, publicly, and unambiguously halt any plans to execute people in Angenga prison or elsewhere”.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi © Amnesty International

In contrast, some citizens have supported the government’s actions, arguing that it is a necessary step to combat the growing gang violence and insecurity in the country. Prominent human rights activist Espoir Muhinuka, however, cautioned against the potential for “extrajudicial executions” and emphasised that efforts to tackle urban gangs should be paired with addressing the root causes of crime, such as “poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion,” CNN reported.

The death penalty has been used by societies across the world for centuries, but organisations like Amnesty International, among others, argue that it constitutes a violation of human rights, particularly the right to life and protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. These rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

Although the DRC abolished the death penalty in 1981, it was reinstated in 2006. However, according to news reports from CNN and AP, the last execution carried out in the country occurred in 2003. Following a two-decade pause, the DRC government resumed executions in March 2024, citing the need to combat ‘treason’ amidst the escalating armed conflicts and gang violence.

According to The Death Penalty Project, “the DR Congo retains capital sentences in its ordinary and military law. In 2023, approximately 33 people received a death sentence, with over 800 people being held on death row.” While many African nations have abolished the death penalty, countries like Egypt and Somalia still carry out executions, contributing to a rise in global execution rates.

The Amnesty International Global Report on Death Sentences and Executions in 2023 revealed a significant increase in global executions, with 1,153 executions recorded, a 31% rise from 2022. This surge was largely attributed to the increase in executions in Iran.

Executing Countries in 2023 © Amnesty International

In West Africa, countries like Guinea, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo have abolished the death penalty, with Burkina Faso eliminating it for ordinary crimes in 2018. However, The Gambia has yet to fully abolish it, despite a moratorium declared by President Adam Barrow in 2018.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has noted that, while a moratorium is in place, “the death penalty is still retained in our Constitution and Statute books as a valid and lawful punishment of certain criminal offences such as murder, treason, and violent acts of terrorism.” The commission also stated that individuals continue to be sentenced to death by the High Court.

As human rights advocates worldwide call for the complete abolition of the death penalty, the recent executions in the DRC underscore persistent challenges surrounding this punishment. These events highlight the ongoing tensions between human rights principles and the continued practice of capital punishment, even in countries that are signatories to laws opposing it.