DRC Army Says It Thwarted Attempted Coup

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KINSHASA: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army has said it thwarted an attempted coup against President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital Kinshasa orchestrated Congolese and foreign fighters.

Congolese army spokesman Brig. Gen. Sylavin Ekenge said several suspects had been arrested and detained and that the “situation is now under control”.

Brig. Gen. Ekenge’s statement comes hours after armed men attacked the house of Vital Kamerhe, the former chief of staff and close ally to President Tshisekedi early Sunday morning.

Witnesses say a group of about 20 assailants in army uniform attacked the residence and an exchange of gunfire followed.

Two guards and an assailant were killed in the attack on Mr Kamerhe’s house, his spokesman and the Japanese ambassador said in posts on X.

The men also occupied the Palais de la Nation, the office of the President of the Republic which is located in the city centre, a place highly secured by the Republican Guard.

President Tshisekedi has not made any public comment on the situation so far.

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

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

President Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term in the disputed elections last year in December. He won about 78% of the vote.

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

Aditional reporting by agencies.