2024 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup attempt

2024 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup attempt
Date 19 May 2024 Location Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Belligerents
Democratic Republic of the Congo Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Republican Guard Congolese National Police National Intelligence Agency	United Congolese Party
Commanders and leaders
Félix Tshisekedi Vital Kamerhe	Christian Malanga †[1]
Strength
Unknown	50+
Casualties and losses
2 police officers killed	4 killed 50 captured[2]
several civilians injured

This article is part of a series about Félix Tshisekedi
UDPS Presidential elections 2018 2023 5th President of DRC 2019–present Common Front Allied Democratic Forces insurgency COVID-19 pandemic Kivu Ebola epidemic Measles outbreak COVID-19 vaccination Murder of Luca Attanasio Anti-MONUSCO protests 2022 coup d'état allegations Kivu conflict Ituri conflict 2021–2023 DRC attacks M23 offensive (2022–2023) DRC-Rwanda tensions 2024 coup attempt
v t e

On 19 May 2024, an attempted coup took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).^[3] Targeting President Félix Tshisekedi and his Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, it was foiled quickly by the security forces. The attempt was blamed on forces loyal to opposition politician Christian Malanga, the self-exiled leader of the United Congolese Party living in the United States who was killed during the attempt.

Background

The coup attempt occurred amid a political crisis that gripped President Félix Tshisekedi's ruling party. The crisis revolved around an election for the leadership of parliament, initially slated for 18 May 2024 but subsequently deferred.^[3] One of the targeted politicians was an ally of Tshisekedi, Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe,^[4] who was running for the presidency of the National Assembly.^[1]

Events

Fighting was reported in the capital, Kinshasa, in the early hours of 19 May, at approximately 04:30.^[5] Clashes between men in military uniforms and the security forces^[1] were reported near the Palais du Peuple,^[6][7] where the assailants managed to enter.^[8] Twenty others^[9] attacked Vital Kamerhe's residence at Tshatshi Boulevard^[5] in the Gombe neighborhood,^[10] but were foiled by his security guards.^[3][5][11] Gunfire was also reported near the Palais de la Nation.^[10] At least 50 people, including three US nationals were arrested in connection with the coup attempt.^[12] Some of them were also reported to be carrying Canadian passports.^[13]

The attackers displayed flags of Zaire and declared that they wished to see a change in the DRC's régime.^[13] They also said 'Tshisekedi out!' during the attempt.^[8]

The Congolese army was subsequently deployed in Kinshasa along with armored vehicles.^[4][13] Roadblocks were installed near the Palais du Peuple and other parts of the capital.^[8]

Casualties

Two police officers^[5] and four attackers were killed during the coup attempt, including their leader, Christian Malanga.^[14] Several people were injured after a shell fired from Kinshasa flew across the Congo River and landed on a neighborhood of Brazzaville, the neighboring capital of the Republic of the Congo.^[10]

Investigation

Initial reports said that the attackers were members of the Congolese military before it was found that they were linked to Christian Malanga, the self-exiled leader of the opposition United Congolese Party. Malanga subsequently appeared on a livestreamed video inside the Palais de la Nation surrounded by men in military uniforms and said "Felix, you’re out. We are coming for you." An army spokesperson later said that Malanga was killed after resisting arrest by the Republican Guard during the fighting at the Palais de la Nation, while his son, who held US citizenship, was also identified as a perpetrator along with two other US nationals, one of which was identified as a business associate of Malanga.^[14][1][15]

Reactions

The army declared that the attempt was 'foiled' and 'under control'.^[8] The US embassy issued warnings of caution following the clashes,^[1] with ambassador Lucy Tamlyn saying that they were cooperating with Congolese authorities in the investigation and pledging to "hold accountable any American citizen involved". The French embassy warned against travelling to Gombe.^[10] The African Union condemned the coup attempt.^[16]

References