The military said the coup had been “nipped in the bud” by the military and its perpetrators, including foreigners, had been arrested.
Three people were reportedly killed in a shootout between gunmen in military uniforms and the bodyguards of a top politician in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with the military calling the incident a coup d'état. It was declared unsuccessful.
Two police officers and one of the assailants were killed in the gunfight that began early Sunday morning.
Gunmen attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a member of parliament and a candidate for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament, but were stopped by security, Kamerhe's spokesperson Michel Moto Muhima said on social media.
“His Highness Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe,” a spokesperson wrote to X.
A spokesman for the Democratic Republic of Congo's military said in a televised address that the perpetrators of the failed takeover had been arrested.
Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenji told reporters that the coup attempt was “nipped in the bud by the Congolese National Defense Forces and security forces.” [and] The situation is under control. ”
The military said most of the groups behind the coup attempt were foreigners or Congolese nationals based abroad, Al Jazeera's Alain Ouaikani reported. Huaikani added that the military said some of the suspects were in possession of U.S. and Canadian passports.
“There is no connection between these people and members of the local military or security forces in Kinshasa,” Huaikani said.
Still, he added, the attack raised concerns among locals about how the perpetrators were able to enter a highly protected area and attack government figures.
Local media initially identified the armed men as Congolese soldiers, but later identified Christian Malanga, an opposition leader in self-exile, who appeared in a livestream video surrounded by several people in military uniform. It was reported that there is a relationship with
“Felix, you're out now. We're coming for you,” Malanga said, referring to President Felix Tshisekedi.
Footage believed to be from near the scene showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading through deserted streets nearby.
The incident comes amid a crisis for Tshisekedi's government over parliamentary leadership elections that were due to be held on Saturday but have been postponed.
On Friday, Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the ruling Holy Alliance party in a bid to resolve the crisis in his party, which controls parliament.
“If these bad practices continue, I will not hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections,” he said.
Tshisekedi was re-elected president in December in a chaotic vote, with opposition parties calling for a new vote citing a lack of transparency following disputed past elections in the central African nation. .
The U.S. embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued a warning and urged people to remain vigilant after “reports of gunfire.”
