Africa
Three Americans Arrested Over Failed Coup In DR Congo
Those who were captured were currently facing interrogation by specialized services
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo- Three Americans were among about 50 assailants arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday during a failed coup that included an attack at the presidential palace.
According to the Congolese army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, said that The coup attempt led by self-exiled opposition leader Christian Malanga began around 4 a.m. as gunfire rang out in the capital Kinshasa, Reuters reported. But it was “nipped in the bud,” and Malanga was killed at the presidential palace.
Malanga’s son was one of the three US citizens arrested following the attack, Ekenge told the Associated Press.
Those who were captured were currently facing interrogation by specialized services of the country’s armed forces, Ekenge, also told Reuters.
An American man is seen surrounded by soldiers after allegedly taking part in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Social media videos show one of the Americans, a white man with blood around his mouth, sitting on the ground next to standing Congolese soldiers, according to the New York Times.
“I am shocked by the events of this morning and very concerned by reports of American citizens allegedly involved,” US Ambassador to the Congo Lucy Tamlyn stated.
“Please be assured that we will cooperate with the DRC authorities to the fullest extent as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any US citizen involved in criminal acts.”
The chaos comes months after President Felix Tshisekedi was reelected to a second term in a disorderly vote that critics claimed lacked transparency.
Tshisekedi has yet to name a government after he appointed a prime minister six weeks ago. He also delayed a Saturday vote for the parliament’s leadership that was originally scheduled for Saturday.
