DR Congo army says it has thwarted attempted coup in Kinshasa
- FEATUREDNEWS
- May 19, 2024
- No Comment
The army of theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) says it has thwarted an attempted coup involving “foreigners and Congolese”.
The coup bid took place in the early hours of Sunday in Kinshasa, outside the residence of Vital Kamerhe, the economy minister, and near the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi.
“An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces,” said General Sylvain Ekenge in a message broadcast on national television.
He added that the “foreigners and Congolese” behind the attack, “including their leader”, would “all no longer cause any harm”.
The attempted government overthrow was reportedly led by one Christian Malanga, a US-based Congolese politician.
Malanga was killed in the process, and dozens of assailants have been rounded up by the Congolese security forces.
Malanga and the assailants are members of the “New Zaire” Movement.
Gen Ekenge did not give any more details on the incident, which took place in the Gombe region in the north of the capital city. Shots were also heard near the Palais de la Nation, according to a number of sources.
Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador to the DRC, said: “I am shocked by the events this morning and very worried by the reports of American citizens allegedly involved.
“Rest assured that we are cooperating with authorities in DRC to the fullest extent possible, as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any American citizen involved.”
A number of people were also injured when a shell from Kinshasa fell in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, which sits just across the Congo river from the DRC.
“A few people have been lightly injured, one of whom has been transported to the army hospital of Brazzaville for treatment by the health service,” said Thierry Moungalla, the Republic of Congo’s communication minister.
Reports began to circulate on social media early on Sunday morning of an attack on Mr Kamerhe’s home by armed men, some of whom then went to the Palais de la Nation.
