**The Fragile Balance Between Justice and Deterrence: A Reflection on the Death Penalty in the DRC**
In a context where urban crime, symbolized by the criminality of the “Kuluna”, and corruption are breaking alarming records in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Minister of State for Justice, Constant Mutamba, recently sparked a lively debate with his proposal to extend the death penalty to embezzlers of public funds. This wish, expressed during a briefing on Operation “Ndobo”, raises crucial questions about the nature of justice, the morality of capital punishment and its consequences on society.
### An Increasingly Contested Death Penalty
The death penalty, although existing in some countries, is today widely criticized on the international scene. Many countries have abolished this sanction, considered a violation of human rights, in the name of human dignity and the right to life. In the DRC, the reintroduction of the death penalty for economic and financial crimes might, at first, seem like a radical response to the financial abuses that have weighed heavily on the national economy. However, such a measure raises the question of its real effectiveness in preventing corruption.
### Corruption: An Endemic Evil
The DRC is ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world, according to various corruption perception indices. In 2022, Transparency International placed the DRC at the bottom of its ranking with a score of 18 out of 100, reflecting the scale of the problem in public institutions. Endemic corruption has taken root at all levels, from petty to grand corruption, and it is essential to ask whether a sanction as extreme as the death penalty will be enough to deter criminal behavior by decision-makers.
### Alternative Solutions: Strengthening Judicial Institutions
Instead of focusing on extending the death penalty, which could paradoxically fuel a culture of violence within institutions, the creation of financial prosecutors and specialized chambers to try financial crimes could offer a constructive alternative. These structures would have the mission of strengthening transparency and treating corruption cases fairly and rigorously. Indeed, thorough investigations and transparent prosecutions could prove more effective in deterring corruption than the threat of capital punishment.
### Case Studies and International Reflections
Internationally, several countries have demonstrated that education, transparency and good governance are much more powerful levers than extreme punitive measures. In South Africa, for example, the creation of independent anti-corruption institutions has led to significant progress in the fight against corruption, without resorting to sanctions as severe as the death penalty.
Moreover, countries where corruption has been seriously combated, such as Rwanda, have relied on institutional reforms and awareness-raising programs. Rather than turning to repressive means, these nations have strengthened the civic responsibility and investigative capacities of their administrations.
### The Morality of a Punishment Equivalent to Life
Minister Mutamba’s suggestion to introduce the death penalty for crimes of corruption also questions the morality of punishing acts considered immoral with equally immoral acts. The logic of justice should, in principle, aim not only at retribution, but also at rehabilitation and prevention. The question remains: would the cycle of violence and revenge that such a law could generate really provide a solution to the ills of the DRC?
### Conclusion: Towards a Collective Reflection
Beyond the intentions of fighting crime and corruption, Minister Mutamba’s proposal encourages a collective reflection on how to imagine a justice system capable of meeting the expectations of Congolese citizens. A systemic overhaul of justice and institutions could reveal more sustainable solutions that respect human rights. Ultimately, this is a unique opportunity for the Congolese government to position itself in favor of a democracy based on inclusive and responsible justice, which goes beyond the appeal of repression.
Thus, the real challenge lies in the ability of political decision-makers to transform the declarative will to fight corruption into concrete actions that generate significant and positive change in Congolese society.