More than 170 prisoners sentenced to death have been transferred from the Congolese capital to another prison in the north of the country where they will be executed, Congolese authorities said.
Seventy convicts were transported on Sunday, Congolese Justice Minister Konstan Mutamba said, and another 102 prisoners had already been sent to Angenga prison in northern Mongala province.
The prisoners were convicted of armed robbery and are known locally as "kuluni" or "urban bandits".
They are between 18 and 35 years old, Mutamba said in a statement.
Some Congolese citizens have welcomed the measure as a means of restoring order and security in the cities, while others are concerned about the risk of abuse and human rights violations.
"We welcome this decision by the minister because it will help put an end to urban crime. From 20 p.m. onwards, you cannot move freely because you are afraid of bumping into Kuluna," said Fiston Kakule, a resident of the eastern city of Goma.
Espoir Muhinuka, a human rights activist, warned of the possibility of extrajudicial executions and called for strict adherence to court procedures.
He fears that political pressure could lead to unjust convictions and arbitrary executions.
"The situation in Congo is complex and requires a multidimensional approach. The fight against urban gangs must go hand in hand with efforts to fight poverty, unemployment and social exclusion, which often contribute to crime," said Muhinuka.
Congo abolished the death penalty in 1981, but it was reinstated in 2006.
The last execution was carried out in 2003.
In March 2024, the Congolese government announced the continuation of the death penalty in cases of treason against military personnel.
In May, eight soldiers were sentenced to death, and in July, 25 soldiers were sentenced for similar crimes.
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