The military says the coup was “nipped in the bud” by the armed forces and that the perpetrators were arrested, including foreigners.
Three people were reportedly killed in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) following a shootout between gunmen in military uniforms and the guards of a senior political official – an incident the army said attempted coup d’état.
Two police officers and one of the attackers were among those killed in the shooting that began early Sunday morning.
A DRC military spokesman said in a televised speech that those responsible for the failed takeover, including several foreigners, had been arrested.
Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge told journalists that the coup attempt had been “nipped in the bud by the Congolese defense and security forces (and) that the situation was under control.” He did not give further details.
The incident occurred amid a crisis rocking President Félix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over parliamentary leadership elections that were due to take place on Saturday but were postponed.
The gunmen attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal lawmaker and candidate for president of DR Congo’s National Assembly, but were arrested by his guards, Michel Moto Muhima, his spokesman said on the social media platform
“The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been increased,” he wrote.
Media in the Democratic Republic of Congo identified the men as Congolese soldiers. It was not clear whether the men in military uniforms were trying to arrest the politician.
Images, apparently from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading through the neighborhood’s deserted streets.
On Friday, Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the ruling coalition, the Sacred Union of the Nation, to try to resolve the crisis within his party which dominates the National Assembly.
He said he would not hesitate “to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist.”
Tshisekedi was re-elected president in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a re-vote from the opposition due to what it called a lack of transparency, following past trends of contested elections in this central African country.
The U.S. Embassy in DR Congo issued a security alert, urging caution after “reports of gunshots.”
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News Source : www.aljazeera.com
