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Congolese army says it foiled a coup attempt as opposition leader threatens president

DR Congo: Americans involved in foiled deadly coup, military says

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) army on Sunday said it had arrested around 50 persons, including three US citizens, for attempting a coup in the country.

Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) army on Sunday said it had arrested around 50 people, including three US citizens, for attempting a coup in the country.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) army Sunday said it had arrested around 50 people, including three US citizens, for attempting a coup.

A DRC spokesperson said a group of armed men attacked the presidency in the city center of the capital Kinshasa around 4 a.m. Sunday. The home of parliament member Vital Kamerhe, who's expected to be the next speaker, was reportedly also attacked.

A DRC spokesperson said a group of armed men attacked the presidency in the city center of the capital Kinshasa around 4 am on Sunday. The home of parliament member Vital Kamerhe, who's expected to be the next speaker, was reportedly also attacked.

A group of armed men attacked the presidency in the city centre of capital Kinshasa around 4am on Sunday, according to a DRC army spokesperson.

A group of armed men carried out an attack on the presidency in the city centre of capital Kinshasa around 4am on Sunday, according to a DRC army spokesperson.

At least three people were killed in the violence that followed, with Christian Malanga, the alleged leader of the plot, being "put out of action,” the army said.

At least three people were killed in the violence that followed. The group's elf-exiled leader, Christian Malanga, posted a video on Facebook during the incident in which he threatened Pre. Felix Tshisekedi.

At least three people were killed in the ensuing violence, including the group's self-exiled leader, Christian Malanga, who had posted a video on Facebook during the incident threatening Pres. Felix Tshisekedi.

At least three people were killed in the violence that followed, including the group's elf-exiled leader, Christian Malanga, who had posted a video on Facebook during the incident threatening Pre. Felix Tshisekedi.

US resident Malanga was a former DRC army officer who has, over the years, demanded religious freedom in Africa and fought against corruption.

Al Jazeera

US resident Malanga was a former DRC army captain who fought for religious freedom and against corruption. He was detained in 2011 for contending parliamentary elections, after which he moved to the US and started the opposition United Congolese Party (UCP).

Among the Americans perpetrators was Malanga's son, Marcel, the army said. Lucy Tamlyn, the US envoy to the DRC, said she was "shocked" at their involvement.

BBC News

Among the Americans involved was Malanga's son, Marcel, the army said. US Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, said she was "shocked" at the development.

Among the Americans involved was Malanga's son, Marcel, the army said. Lucy Tamlyn, the US envoy to the DRC, said she was "shocked" at the development.

US resident Malanga is a former DRC army officer who has, over the years, demanded religious freedom in Africa and fought against corruption.

Images circulating on social media showed the passport of another American, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, alleging his involvement in the attempted putsch.

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The DRC's recent chaotic election saw President Tshisekedi win amid accusations of corruption and questions about his legitimacy. While the DRC has made democratic progress, its people remain impoverished and thus are searching for alternative leadership. Fighting corruption and improving governance are essential for peace and development, but that can only happen if Western powers work with the Congolese people rather than the nation's kleptocrats.

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Congo cannot thrive without dismantling its kleptocracy

As this story continues to unfold, it's important not to minimize the fact that American citizens were involved in this attempted coup. Given the US' history of meddling in Congolese affairs, including the American private military company Bancroft's recent attack on Chinese-owned mines in the country, it wouldn't surprise the Congolese people if US forces were involved here, too.

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DR Congos army accuses America of involvement

There is a 61% chance of the Democratic Republic of Congo experiencing a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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Civil War before 2036?

The Eastern Congo Conflict

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US Citizens Arrested For Role in Attempted Congo Coup

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Tshisekedi won his office amid accusations of corruption and questions about his legitimacy, and the people of the DRC remain impoverished and are searching for alternative leadership. Fighting corruption and improving governance are essential for peace and development, so the DRC must work with Western powers to empower the Congolese people instead of the nation's kleptocrats.

Given the US' history of meddling in Congolese affairs — including the American private military company Bancroft's recent attack on Chinese-owned mines in the country — it wouldn't surprise the Congolese people if US forces were involved here, too. Western nations, particularly the US, can't be trusted and the DRC will have to do its best without their help.

There's a 61% chance of the Democratic Republic of Congo experiencing a civil war before Jan. 1, 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

US Citizens Arrested For Role in Attempted Congo Coup

US Citizens Arrested For Role in Attempted Congo Coup

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US Citizens Arrested For Role in Attempted Congo Coup

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