Attempted Coup in DRC: Leader Killed, 50 Arrested Including Three Americans

KINSHASA, DRC — In a dramatic turn of events, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) thwarted an attempted coup early Sunday morning, resulting in the death of the coup leader and the arrest of approximately 50 individuals, including three American citizens. This news was confirmed by a spokesperson for the DRC army to Reuters.

Gunfire erupted around 4 a.m. in Kinshasa, the nation's capital. The attack, spearheaded by armed men, targeted the presidential palace in the city center, according to army spokesman Sylvain Ekenge. Vital Kamerhe, a prominent member of parliament and potential speaker, also faced an assault at his nearby residence.

Michel Moto Muhima, Kamerhe's spokesman, and the Japanese ambassador detailed the attack in social media posts, noting the deaths of two guards and one assailant at Kamerhe's home. Ekenge corroborated that an attacker was killed in this incident.

In a related cross-border incident, a shell fired from Kinshasa landed in Brazzaville, the capital of the neighboring Republic of Congo, injuring several people and resulting in one hospitalization, as confirmed by Brazzaville's government.

Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese politician, was identified as the orchestrator of the coup attempt. "Malanga was definitively neutralized during the attack on the Palais de la Nation," Ekenge reported. An individual named Aboubacar was also neutralized during the attack on Kamerhe's residence. The remaining assailants, including three American citizens, are currently under interrogation by the Armed Forces' specialized services.

Malanga had previously attempted a coup in 2017, which was also unsuccessful. Among the American detainees was Malanga's son. A Facebook page purportedly belonging to Malanga live-streamed the attack, with Malanga expressing frustration with the current leadership in Lingala, criticizing President Félix Tshisekedi and Kamerhe.

U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expressed her concern over the involvement of American citizens. She assured cooperation with DRC authorities in the investigation, emphasizing accountability for any criminal actions by U.S. citizens.

The U.S. embassy had earlier issued a security alert regarding "ongoing activity by DRC security elements" and reports of gunfire in Kinshasa. The United Nations' stabilization mission in the DRC also condemned the attempted coup. Its chief, Bintou Keita, extended support to the Congolese authorities via a post on social media.

President Tshisekedi, recently re-elected for a second term in December, has yet to form a government, despite appointing a prime minister six weeks ago. The parliamentary election for the speaker, with Kamerhe as a candidate, was delayed by Tshisekedi and was originally scheduled for Saturday.

This attempted coup underscores the political instability and ongoing challenges faced by the DRC, as the nation continues to navigate its complex and often tumultuous political landscape. The international community remains vigilant, watching closely as the situation develops.