The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has stated that it has put a stop to an attempted coup against President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital Kinshasa involving Congolese and foreign fighters.
According to the Democratic Republic of Congo military, they stopped the havoc near the presidential palace.
Brig Gen Sylavin Ekenge, spokesperson for the DR Congo army, announced that a total of 50 individuals, which includes three Americans and a British citizen who has been naturalized, have been apprehended.
Among the 50 people who were involved were three Americans who have been arrested.
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A passport for one of these Americans is now spreading online, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen born in Maryland. (WaPo)
He had stated on the state-controlled RTNC TV that the current situation is now under control.
How It All Started
Gunfire rang out around 4 am in the capital Kinshasa, a Reuters reporter said. Armed men attacked the presidency in the city center, according to spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge.
Another attack occurred at the neighboring residence of Vital Kamerhe, a parliamentarian expected to assume the role of speaker, as stated by Kamerhe’s representative, Michel Moto Muhima, and the Japanese ambassador in their Twitter updates.
Moto Muhima said two guards and an attacker had been killed in that incident. Ekenge also said one attacker was killed there.
A shell fired from Kinshasa hit the city of Brazzaville in the neighboring Republic of Congo, injuring several people, that country’s government said in a statement, adding that one person had been hospitalized.
Christian Malanga, a Congolese politician residing in the United States, was identified by Ekenge as the mastermind behind the failed coup.
Malanga was definitively neutralized during the attack on the Palais de la Nation, a certain Aboubacar was neutralized during the attack on the residence of Vital Kamarhe the others – around 50 including three American citizens – were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation by the specialized services of the Armed Forces,Ekenge told Reuters.
He mentioned that Malanga had initially tried to carry out a coup in 2017 but had abandoned the plan, and one of the individuals detained was identified as Malanga’s son.
“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, which has not been independently verified by Reuters.
US Ambassador To Congo’s Reaction
In a social media post, Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador, expressed her deep concern regarding the reports suggesting the alleged involvement of US citizens in the events.
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 US citizen involved in criminal acts,” she said.
The security alert issued by the US embassy earlier cautioned about “ongoing activity by DRC security elements” and incidents of gunfire in the vicinity.
The incidents were strongly condemned by Bintou Keita, the chief of the United Nations stabilization mission in the DRC, who expressed her support to the Congolese authorities in a post on X.
African Union chair Moussa Faki said he “strongly condemns” the coup attempt and welcomed the response of the country’s defense and security forces.
“He takes this opportunity to condemn any use of force to change the constitutional order in any African state whatsoever.”
The BBC additionally reported witnessing a video of Mr. Malanga speaking in Lingala, the native language, stating: “We, the military, are exhausted and unable to march alongside Vital Kamerhe and President Félix Tshisekedi.”
What To know
- President Tshisekedi clinched a second consecutive term in elections that were marred by controversy in December of the previous year, garnering around 78% of the votes.
- Nearly, 20 individuals lost their lives due to election-related violence leading up to the voting period.
- Despite its abundant mineral wealth and large population, the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face persistent challenges in improving the lives of its citizens. Conflict, corruption, and inadequate governance have hindered progress and hindered the overall development of the country.
- A significant portion of the nation’s natural resources are located in the eastern region, where conflict continues to persist despite Mr. Tshisekedi’s efforts to address the situation through the implementation of a state of siege, ceasefire agreements, and the deployment of regional forces.
