The Democratic Republic of the Congo was rocked by violence on Sunday as a shootout in Kinshasa resulted in the arrests of at least three Americans. The country’s government labeled the incident as an attempted coup led by Christian Malanga, a fringe political leader who had previously lived in the U.S. The alleged coup attempt was thwarted at the residence of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, where Malanga was killed, according to national armed forces spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge.
Prior to the alleged coup attempt, Malanga posted a threatening video on Facebook directed at President Tshisekedi. The video, apparently filmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, featured a person speaking with an American accent before Malanga began his speech. The violent incident resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including two police officers and an attacker during an assault on the residence of Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe.
Among those arrested in connection with the coup attempt was Malanga’s son, as confirmed by Ekenge. Little information has been released about the Americans involved in the incident. U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expressed her concern, stating that the embassy was cooperating with Congolese authorities in their investigation to hold any U.S. citizens involved in criminal acts accountable. The State Department had not yet provided a comment on the situation.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced ongoing violence as clashes between the military and ethnic Tutsi rebel groups threaten the country’s stability. President Tshisekedi’s reelection last December has led to political turmoil, with the postponement of parliamentary elections on the same day of the alleged coup attempt. Malanga, who led the United Congolese Party and the “New Zaire” movement, made references to the country’s previous name under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. He had lived in Salt Lake City as a refugee before returning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The situation in the Congo remains tense as authorities and the international community grapple with the aftermath of the attempted coup. The involvement of Americans in the violent incident raises concerns about foreign influences in the country’s internal affairs. The government’s response and investigation into the incident will be critical in restoring stability and preventing future attempts to destabilize the nation. The role of political figures like Malanga and the circumstances surrounding the coup attempt will be closely scrutinized as the situation unfolds.
