close
close
bsxonair

US citizen arrested after suspected coup attempt in Democratic Republic of Congo

Gillberg
US citizen arrested after suspected coup attempt in Democratic Republic of Congo

Top line

At least three Americans were arrested after a shooting in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s government said Sunday, calling the violence an attempted coup led by Christian Malanga, a fringe politician who previously lived in the United States

Important facts

The suspected coup attempt was foiled at the Congolese president’s residence, where Malanga was killed, national armed forces spokesman Sylvain Ekenge told the Associated Press on Sunday.

Before the alleged coup attempt, Malanga posted a video on Facebook apparently from the Democratic Republic of Congo in which he threatened Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. In it, a person with an American accent can be heard before Malanga begins his speech.

At least three people were killed in an attack on the residence of Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe, including two police officers and an attacker, his press secretary said in a statement.

One of the US citizens arrested was Malanga’s son, Ekenge told Reuters, but few other details about the Americans have been released so far.

Lucy Tamlyn, the U.S. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, said in a statement she was “very concerned” about Sunday’s reports and said the U.S. Embassy was “cooperating fully with the Democratic Republic of Congo authorities on the issue.” investigation into these crimes.” act and hold accountable all U.S. citizens who engage in criminal conduct.”

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.

Important background

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by persistent violence for years as fighting between the country’s military and ethnic Tutsi rebel groups threatens to plunge the country into war with its eastern neighbor Rwanda. Following Tshisekedi’s re-election last December, the country experienced political unrest. Tshisekedi delayed parliamentary elections originally scheduled for Sunday – the same day as the alleged coup attempt. Malanga, a fringe politician, led the United Congolese Party and the “New Zaire” movement – a reference to the country’s name until 1997 under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. In the video released on Sunday, Malanga and other men in military uniform unfurled Zaire’s former flag and shouted “Felix, we are coming for you.” According to a biography on his own website, Malanga lived for years as a refugee from the ongoing conflicts in the country Democratic Republic of Congo in Salt Lake City. He also claimed to be a former member of JROTC in the United States before returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo to join the military.

further reading

ForbesDOJ wants to seize apartment in Trump building as part of corruption investigation in CongoFrom Mary Whitfill Roeloffs

Related Posts