The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faced a dramatic turn of events on Sunday morning after a group attempted to overthrow the government in a failed coup. Military officials announced they successfully quelled the attempt, killing the leader, Christian Malanga, and arresting around 50 individuals, including three American citizens.
Gunfire Erupts in Kinshasa
Residents of Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital, awoke to the sound of gunfire erupting around 4:00 am. A Reuters journalist on the ground reported armed attackers targeting the presidential palace in the city center. Simultaneously, another attack unfolded at the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a prominent member of parliament expected to be elected speaker. Two security guards and one attacker died during this confrontation, according to Kamerhe’s spokesperson.
The Congolese military swiftly responded to the attacks, deploying forces to contain the situation. Military spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge credited the swift response with preventing the coup from gaining momentum. Ekenge identified Malanga, a US-based Congolese politician, as the mastermind behind the attempt. He claimed Malanga was not new to such actions, having previously attempted a coup in 2017 that was also unsuccessful.
The inclusion of American citizens among the detainees raises questions about potential foreign involvement in the coup attempt. Ekenge revealed that one of the detained Americans is Malanga’s son. Social media posts believed to be from Malanga’s account surfaced, featuring a live-streamed video of the alleged attack. In the unverified video, Malanga speaks out against the government in Lingala, the local language.
US and UN Respond
The US ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, expressed deep concern regarding the reported involvement of American citizens. She emphasized full cooperation with Congolese authorities as they investigate the incident. Ambassador Tamlyn vowed to hold accountable any US citizen found to be implicated in criminal activities. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) also condemned the violence and offered support to the Congolese government in restoring order.
The attempted coup exposes the underlying political tensions simmering in the DRC. President Felix Tshisekedi secured a second term in December’s elections, but the nation remains without a government six weeks after appointing a prime minister. Further fueling political uncertainty was the postponement of the parliamentary speaker election, originally scheduled for Saturday. The DRC has a long and troubled history of political instability, and this recent event serves as a stark reminder of the country’s fragile peace.
Uncertainties Remain
While the immediate threat of the coup appears neutralized, questions linger regarding the motivations behind the attempt and the potential involvement of external actors. The investigation into the American detainees will be closely watched, with the potential to strain US-DRC relations. The DRC government faces the critical task of restoring stability and addressing the underlying political grievances that may have fueled this attempted coup.
Source: Reuters
