KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO — In a shocking turn of events, a failed coup attempt on the presidential palace in Congo over the weekend has resulted in the deaths of six people, including the coup’s orchestrator, Christian Malanga, and the arrest of dozens more, including three Americans. This brazen attack has left many in Congo and abroad trying to piece together the events and motivations behind it.
The attack began early Sunday morning when a group of men, led by Malanga, targeted the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi and a federal legislator. The assailants were met with fierce resistance from Kamerhe’s guards, who reportedly killed several attackers.
Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, a spokesperson for the Congolese army, confirmed that Malanga was killed in a shootout with presidential guards. “The situation is under control,” he said, following the chaotic scenes of the early morning assault.
Christian Malanga, an eccentric opposition figure with a history in gold mining and the used car business, had persuaded his Utah-born son, Marcel, to join in the ill-fated coup attempt.
The young American, along with two other U.S. nationals, was among those arrested. Malanga’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, defended her son’s innocence in an email to The Associated Press, stating, “My son is innocent,” but declined to provide further details.
Videos circulated on social media showed a bloodied Marcel and another unidentified white man surrounded by Congolese soldiers, a stark contrast to the persona Marcel had portrayed on social media, where he appeared with stacks of dollar bills and spoke about his lifestyle.
Malanga’s background is marred with legal troubles. Court records from Utah show a history of convictions, including assault with a firearm and domestic violence charges. Despite these legal issues, Malanga positioned himself as a leader of the United Congolese Party and claimed high-level connections in Washington and the Vatican.
Relatives of Malanga gathered in West Jordan, Utah, to mourn his death. Family members expressed their heartbreak and discussed funeral arrangements.
Malanga’s co-conspirator, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, was identified through a U.S. passport. Zalman-Polun has a history of drug trafficking charges in the U.S. and connections to a gold mining venture in Mozambique, suggesting a complex web of international dealings.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa acknowledged the involvement of American citizens and stated it would cooperate with Congolese authorities in their investigation.
Dino Mahtani, an independent researcher, speculated that Malanga might have been set up or betrayed, given the implausible execution of the coup.
He highlighted Malanga’s obsession with power in Congo and previous suspicions from Congolese authorities regarding Malanga’s involvement in plots against former President Joseph Kabila.
The attack on the presidential palace, live-streamed by Malanga, ended in his death while resisting arrest. Congolese officials have not yet provided details on how the attackers gained access to the heavily guarded area.
The failed coup has raised significant questions about security and political stability in Congo. The involvement of American citizens in such a high-stakes plot has also brought international attention to the political dynamics and risks in the region.
As the investigation continues, the international community watches closely, awaiting further details and understanding the broader implications of this dramatic and tragic event.
https://www.africanexponent.com/shocking-revelations-about-the-americans-in-failed-dr-congo-coup/
