In a context of incessant fight against urban banditry, the Congolese government, under the orders of President Félix Tshisekedi, has taken radical measures to stem the scourge of the Kulunas, these urban gangs responsible for multiple acts of violence in the capital Kinshasa.
The Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, recently announced the establishment of a commission dedicated to the fight against urban banditry. This team, composed of senior civil and military magistrates as well as the provincial police station, will be responsible for organizing flagrante delicto trials against the Kulunas, with convictions as a result.
A radical decision has been taken: the death penalty will be applied to those guilty of terrorism, considering the acts of the Kulunas as falling within this qualification. The convicts will be transferred to high security prisons, in order to prevent them from continuing to sow terror in the capital and elsewhere in the country.
This announcement raises important ethical and legal questions. The death penalty, widely questioned in many countries, raises questions about respect for human rights and the value of human life. Some might argue that more educational and social reintegration measures would be more effective in the long term to combat urban banditry.
However, Minister Mutamba justifies this decision by invoking biblical considerations, stating that “he who kills by the sword, will perish by the sword”. This religious reference raises further debates on the place of religion in public policies and government decisions.
It is undeniable that the problem of the Kulunas in Kinshasa and other Congolese cities is urgent and requires rapid and effective action. Citizen security must be a top priority, but it is essential to find a balance between firmness and respect for fundamental rights.
This announcement marks a turning point in the fight against urban banditry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It calls on society to consider the best strategies to ensure public security while preserving democratic values and human rights.
It is now up to the Congolese authorities, civil society and the international community to closely monitor developments related to this decision and assess its short- and long-term impacts on security and justice in the DRC.