DR Congo attemped coup: Army says it thwarted attack in Kinshasa

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1] [2] [3]

20 May 2024

Mbelechi Msoshi,Danai Nesta Kupemba

Getty Images

File photo shows military personnel training in the north east of DR Congo in April

The Democratic Republic of Congo army says it has quashed an attempted coup against President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital Kinshasa involving Congolese and foreign fighters.

DR Congo army spokesperson Brig Gen Sylavin Ekenge said that 50 suspects, including three Americans and a naturalised British citizen have been detained.

He previously said on the state-run broadcaster RTNC TV that the "situation is now under control".

His statement comes hours after armed men attacked the house of Vital Kamerhe, the former chief of staff and close ally of President Tshisekedi early on Sunday morning.

Witnesses say a group of about 20 assailants in army uniform attacked the residence and an exchange of gunfire followed.

Two guards and an assailant were killed in the attack on Mr Kamerhe's house, his spokesman and the Japanese ambassador said in posts on X.

The men also occupied the Palais de la Nation, the office of the President of the Republic which is located in the city centre, a place highly secured by the Republican Guard.

Japan's ambassador in the Congolese capital has warned nationals not to go out.

President Tshisekedi has not made any public comment on the situation so far.

Local media reports said the assailants were members of the New Zaire Movement linked to formerly exiled DR Congo politician Christian Malanga, who has acquired American citizenship.

Mr Malanga was shot dead at the presidential palace after he resisted arrest by security forces, Mr Ekenge said.

His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the three American nationals arrested over the alleged coup attempt.

The US ambassador to DR Congo Lucy Tamlyn said she was "shocked" by reports that Americans may have participated in the coup attempt.

"Rest assured that we will cooperate with the DR Congo authorities to the fullest extent possible as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any US citizen involved," Ms Tamlyn said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

African Union chair Moussa Faki said he "strongly condemns" the coup attempt and welcomed the response of the country's defence 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 has seen a video of Mr Malanga saying in Lingala, a local language: "We the military are tired, we cannot march together with Vital Kamerhe and President Félix Tshisekedi."

President Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term in disputed elections last year in December. He won about 78% of the vote.

Nearly 20 people were killed in election-related violence in the run-up to the vote.

DR Congo is a country with vast mineral wealth and a huge population, but despite this, life has not improved for most people, with conflict, corruption and poor governance persisting.

Much of the country's natural resources lie in the east where violence still rages despite Mr Tshisekedi's attempts to deal with the situation by imposing a state of siege, ceasefire deals and bringing in regional troops.

You may also be interested in:

Getty Images/BBC