In a recent official statement, the Minister of State for Justice, Rose Mutombo, announced a major decision taken during the 124th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers: the lifting of the moratorium on the execution of the death penalty in Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision aims to rid the National Army of traitors and to fight against the increase in acts of terrorism and urban banditry leading to the death of innocent people.
Concretely, this lifting of the moratorium concerns irrevocable judicial sentences pronounced in times of war, under a state of siege or emergency, as well as during police operations aimed at maintaining or restoring public order. Targeted offenses include serious crimes such as treason, espionage, genocide, crimes against humanity, or acts of terrorism resulting in death.
This decision marks a turning point in the country’s penal policy, since the death penalty had not been carried out since 2003 due to a moratorium. The minister emphasizes that this moratorium was perceived as a form of impunity by criminals sentenced to death, the latter being convinced that their sentence would never be carried out.
It should be noted that the death penalty will remain the prerogative of Congolese courts, but will henceforth be applied in the exceptional circumstances set out by the government decision. This new judicial strategy aims to strengthen the credibility of the justice system and deter individuals from committing serious crimes.
This lifting of the moratorium sparks debates within Congolese society, between supporters of the death penalty and defenders of human rights. The debate around the death penalty and its application remains a complex and controversial subject, raising ethical and legal questions. There is no doubt that this decision will continue to be talked about in the months to come, as the country seeks to reaffirm its authority and its fight against crime.