Three Americans were among around 50 attackers arrested Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a failed coup that included an attack on the presidential palace, the African country’s army said.
The attempted coup led by self-exiled opposition leader Christian Malanga began around 4 a.m. as gunshots rang out in the capital Kinshasa, Reuters reported. But this was “nipped in the bud” and Malanga was killed at the presidential palace, said Congolese army spokesman Brigadier General. » declared General Sylvain Ekenge.
Malanga’s son was one of three U.S. citizens arrested following the attack, Ekenge told The Associated Press.
Those who were captured were currently being interrogated by the specialized services of the country’s armed forces, Ekenge also told Reuters.
Videos posted on social media 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 US citizens being involved,” US Ambassador to Congo Lucy Tamlyn said in a social media post.
“Please be assured that we will cooperate to the fullest extent with DRC authorities as they investigate these criminal acts and will hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved in criminal acts.” »
The chaos comes months after President Félix Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term following a disorderly vote that critics say lacked transparency.
Tshisekedi has yet to name a government after appointing a prime minister six weeks ago. He also delayed Saturday’s vote for the leadership of Parliament, initially scheduled for Saturday.
The attack began in front of the home of a federal deputy running for president of the National Assembly of Congo.
MP Vital Kamerhe’s guards were able to repel the gunmen during the exchange of gunfire in which two police officers and one of the attackers were killed, a spokesperson for the MP said.
Less than three kilometers from Kamerhe’s home, Malanga, the opposition leader, was killed at the presidential palace after resisting arrest by guards, the national army said.
Before he was killed, he appeared in a video broadcast live at the palace, alongside several other people wearing military uniforms.
“Felix, you’re out,” he said in the video. “We are coming for you.”
The U.N. stabilization mission in Congo said in a social media post that its head, Bintou Keita, strongly condemned the failed coup and offered all the support Congolese officials needed.
With post wires
News Source : nypost.com
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