Operation “Zero Kuluna” Rocks Congo: Bandits on the Run
Denis Sassou Nguesso’s crackdown on Congo’s notorious kuluna gangs is sending shockwaves through society. For two months, special forces have been rounding up dozens of hardened criminals daily—bandits who operated with near impunity for years. But what makes these street gangs so dangerous? And can the president’s tough stance finally bring peace?
TikTok, Drugs & Violence: The Rise of Kuluna
The kuluna criminal culture took root in Congo around 2010. Originating from war refugees from the DRC, many young migrants turned to theft, drug dealing, and street violence instead of hard work. A heady mix of quick cash, lack of education, and social media bravado helped kuluna grow into a brutal subculture attracting many vulnerable Congolese youth.
These gangs developed a ruthless hierarchy and even gained corrupt ties within the police. Entire districts in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie, and beyond fell under kuluna control. Drug trafficking, racketeering, and violent robberies ruled the streets as security forces largely turned a blind eye.
In 2014, the government launched Operation “Mbata ya Bakolo,” sweeping away 200,000 criminals through arrests, deportations, and worse. For a while, peace seemed restored—until kuluna came roaring back stronger than ever.
Kuluna Comeback: Motorbikes, Machetes, Mayhem
By 2020, kuluna crime surged again, terrifying citizens after dark. Motorcycle gangs armed with machetes would attack for mere pennies. When a pregnant woman was attacked outside a Talangai hospital, President Sassou Nguesso knew things had gone too far.
Realising that corrupt cops could no longer tackle kuluna, Sassou turned to loyal factions: the DGSP and Congolese army. He ordered a no-nonsense crackdown—thus Operation “Zero Kuluna” was born.
DGSP Guns Down Kuluna: Results Hit Fast
The DGSP and Republican Guard hit the streets hard. Military-style patrols ran 24/7. They blitzed neighborhoods with house searches and ID checks. Civilians were roped in, earning hefty bounties for tips on kuluna whereabouts.
Two months in, kuluna criminal hubs in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire lay in ruins. Scores of arrests and demolitions cleared the way. Even remote spots like Dolisie report the last gangsters neutralised—Nkayi and Ouésso are next.
Peace Restored—but Fight Isn’t Over
The public is cheering. Videos of grateful locals applauding DGSP forces flood social media. The president vows to hunt down every last kuluna, warning that criminals are fleeing cities to keep their violence alive inland.
Early signs are promising: robberies and drug trafficking have plummeted. Streets feel safer without the looming danger of machete-wielding thugs. Still, experts say Sassou’s next hurdles are tough: rooting out police corruption, reforming security forces, and investing heavily in education and social programs to stop a new generation turning to crime.
For now, Congo’s streets are quieter—and the kuluna menace is on the ropes.
