In the early hours of Sunday, May 19, 2024, a group of individuals, comprising several nationalities including Americans and a British national, attempted a coup in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The plot was swiftly neutralized by security forces, according to General Sylvain Ekenge, the army spokesman, who addressed the nation on Sunday evening.
The orchestrator of the coup, Christian Malanga, a Congolese native who had become a naturalized American, was killed during the confrontation with security forces. General Ekenge confirmed Malanga’s death, stating that he had been “definitively neutralized” in the operation.
The assault occurred outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe area of Kinshasa, near the Palais de la Nation, which houses President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices. The attackers, numbering around 40, were largely apprehended, with four, including Malanga, being killed during the clash. Among those captured was a naturalized British citizen, identified as the second-in-command of the group. Malanga’s son, Marcel Malanga, was also reported to be part of the coup attempt, according to the army spokesman.
Minister Kamerhe and his family emerged unscathed from the attack, although two policemen guarding them were tragically killed. A source close to the minister confirmed the fatalities.
The coup plotters had also intended to target the residence of the newly appointed Prime Minister Judith Suminwa and the home of Defence Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba. However, their plans were thwarted as they failed to locate Suminwa’s residence and could not find Bemba at his home.
Following their failed attempts at the ministers’ homes, the group proceeded to the Palais de la Nation, carrying flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo under the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. The swift response by the security forces prevented the group from executing their plans further and restored calm in the capital.
The identities and motives of the attackers are under investigation, as authorities work to understand the full scope and backing of the coup attempt. This incident marks a significant moment of tension in the nation, reflecting the ongoing challenges in maintaining stability and security within the region.
The failed coup attempt in Kinshasa highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The swift response by security forces prevented the plotters from carrying out their plans, but the incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and efforts to maintain stability in the region.
