DR Congo Army Thwarts Coup Attempt Amid Political Crisis

The military of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced that its armed forces had prevented a violent attempt to overthrow the government. This came after an armed attack on the residence of Congo’s Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, in which three people were killed.

The army spokesman, General Sylvain Ekenge, said that the coup attempt involved both foreigners and Congolese, and that the leader of the plot had been « put out of action, » without specifying if they were killed or detained.

The United States Embassy issued a security alert warning of « ongoing activity by DRC security elements » and reports of gunfire near the presidential palace. Videos on social media showed men in military clothing brandishing flags of the former Zaire at the palace.

The incident occurred amid a crisis within President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over the election of the next speaker of parliament, and self-exiled opposition leader Christian Malanga threatened Tshisekedi in a video, intensifying the crisis.