Democratic Republic Of Congo Military Thwarts Coup: Leader Of Death Movement, Dozens Arrested

Democratic Republic of the Congo army. (Wikimedia Commons/MONUSCO Photos)

JAKARTA - The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) military claimed to have thwarted a coup attempt in the country, with the movement leader killed on Sunday, while about 50 others were arrested, including three US citizens, army spokesman told Reuters.

Gunshots were heard around 4 a.m. in the capital Kinshasa, a reporter said. Armed men attacked the presidential building in the city center, according to a spokesman for Sylbak Ekenge.

Another attack took place near Vital Kamerhe's house, a member of parliament who is expected to become chairman, said Cambodian spokesman Michel Moto Muhima in a post on X.

Moto Muhima said two guards and an attacker were killed in the incident. Ekenge also said one assailant was killed there.

Ekenge called Christian Malama, a Congotic politician who lives in the US, the leader of the coup attempt.

"Malanga definitively 'dinetralled' during the attack in Palais de la Nation, an Aboucar 'dinetrallated' during the attack on Vital Kamarhe's residence (and) others, about 50 people including three American nationals, were arrested and currently undergoing interrogation by a special service of the Armed Forces," Ekenge told Reuters, as quoted on May 20.

He said Malana first made efforts and thwarted the coup in 2017. One of the Americans arrested was Malang's son.

A Facebook page that appears to belong to Malama uploaded a live video streaming that appears to be the attack.

"We, the militants, are tired. We cannot continue with Tshisekedi and Kamerhe, they have done too much stupid things in the country," Malama said in Lingala in the video, which Reuters has not independently verified.

Separately, US Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn said in a post on social media she was "deeply concerned" by reports that Americans were suspected of being involved in the incident.

"Rest assured that we will cooperate with DRC authorities fully in investigating these criminal acts and hold every US citizen accountable for his criminal acts," he said.