DR Congo army claims foiling attempted coup

• The coup involved both Congolese and foreign fighters.
• The Japanese ambassador warned nationals not to leave the city.
• Despite the coup, life in Congo remains tense due to conflict, corruption, and poor governance.

The Democratic Republic of Congo army announced that it has quelled an attempted coup against President Felix Tshikedi in the capital Kinshasa, involving both Congolese and foreign fighters.

Brigadier General Sylavin Ekenge, the spokesperson for the DR Congo army, stated on the state-run broadcaster that they have detained several suspects and that the “situation is now under control”.

Hours after armed men attacked the house of Vital Kamerhe, the former chief of staff and close ally to President Tshisekedi early on Sunday morning, witnesses reported that a group of about 20 assailants in army uniform launched the assault. An exchange of gunfire followed.

Mr. Kamerhe’s spokesman and the Japanese ambassador reported in posts on X that two guards and an assailant were killed in the attack on Mr. Kamerhe’s house.

The assailants also seized control of the Palais de la Nation, the office of the President of the Republic, located in the city center. The Republican Guard highly secures this location.

The Japanese ambassador in the Congolese capital issued a warning to nationals, advising them not to go out.

Local media reports indicate that President Tshisekedi has not made any public comment on the situation so far.

Local media reports indicate that the assailants were members of the New Zaire Movement linked to formerly exiled politician Christian Malanga.

The BBC has viewed a video of Mr. Malanga stating in Lingala, the local language: “We, the military, are tired; we cannot march together with Vital Kamerhe and President Félix Tshisekedi.”

In the disputed elections last year in December, President Tshisekedi won about 78% of the vote, securing a second term.

Nearly 20 people died in election-related violence in the run-up to the vote.

Despite its vast mineral wealth and large population, life has not improved for most people in Congo, with conflict, corruption, and poor governance persisting.

Violence still rages in the east, where much of the country’s natural resources are located, despite Mr. Tshisekedi’s attempts to address the situation by imposing a state of siege, negotiating ceasefire deals, and deploying regional troops.

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