DR Congo

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced that the death penalty will be applied to members of the “Kuluna” gangs operating in urban areas. In a recent statement, DRC Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba revealed new measures to combat these gangs. He highlighted the creation of the “Urban Gangs Combat Commission” and plans to launch operations in neighborhoods where gang activity is most prevalent. Mutamba emphasized that gang members will be prosecuted as “terrorist criminals” and stressed that strict measures would be taken against them. “We will impose the death penalty on gang members operating in urban centers,” Mutamba stated. In the capital, Kinshasa, home to around 20 million people, “Kuluna” gangs are infamous for crimes such as robbery, extortion, assault, and murder. These gangs, largely made up of unemployed youth, have made life increasingly difficult for residents. Although the death penalty remains legal in the DRC and is often handed down by courts, it has not been carried out since 2003.