DRC ARMY CLAIMS TO HAVE FOILED A COUP ATTEMPT INVOLVING US CITIZENS

Christian Malanga and his son, wearing a US flag patch, speak before attempting to storm the Presidential Palace in Kinshasa. Source: Facebook

Mon 20 May 2024:

On Sunday, the leader of an attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was killed, and about 50 people, including three American citizens, were arrested, according to a spokesman for the country’s army, Reuters reported

Gunfire erupted around 4 a.m. in Kinshasa, the capital, where armed men attacked the presidential residence, said army spokesman Sylvain Ekenge. Another attack occurred at the nearby home of Vital Kamerhe, a parliament member expected to become speaker, according to Kamerhe’s spokesman Michel Moto Muhima and the Japanese ambassador in posts on X.

The Democratic Republic of Congo army says it stopped an attempted coup on Sunday. Army Spokesman Sylvain Ekenge told @Reuters that some 50 people had been arrested, including three American citizens, and that the leader of the operation had been killed https://t.co/wWe1gW0Yh8 pic.twitter.com/kvXTeIPNjc

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 20, 2024

Moto Muhima reported that two guards and one attacker were killed in this incident. Ekenge confirmed the death of one attacker there as well.

A shell fired from Kinshasa landed in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, injuring several people and hospitalizing one, according to a statement from that country’s government.

Ekenge identified Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese politician, as the coup leader. Malanga was killed during the attack on the Palais de la Nation, while another attacker was killed at Kamerhe’s residence. Around 50 individuals, including three Americans, were arrested and are being interrogated by the armed forces.

A Facebook page seemingly belonging to Malanga streamed a video of the attack, where Malanga criticized President Tshisekedi and Kamerhe.

“We, the militants, are tired. We cannot drag on with Tshisekedi and Kamerhe, they have done too many stupid things in this country,” Malanga said in Lingala in the video.

U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expressed concern over reports of American involvement and assured cooperation with DRC authorities.

“Please be assured that we will cooperate with the DRC authorities to the fullest extent as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved in criminal acts,” she said.

The U.S. embassy issued a security alert about “ongoing activity by DRC security elements” and reports of gunfire.

The UN’s stabilization mission in the DRC condemned the incidents and offered support to Congolese authorities.

President Tshisekedi, re-elected in December, has yet to name a government six weeks after appointing a prime minister. Kamerhe was a candidate for speaker in an election delayed by Tshisekedi.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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