DR Congo army says it foiled attempted coup
DR Congo's armed forces repelled an attempted coup d'etat involving Congolese and foreign fighters on Sunday morning, the army spokesperson said in a televised address.
The attempted coup d'état was "nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces and the situation is under control," Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge said at a media briefing.
According reports it was reported that there were classes between men in military uniform and the guards of a local politician at the politician's house on Tshatshi Boulevard, about 1.2 miles from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located.
The armed men attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, but were stopped by his guards.
Two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started around 4:30 a.m. at the house on Tshatshi Boulevard.
Less than 40 men took over downtown Kinshasa for 2 hours. Their mission was to take out Kamerhe but it seems like they got greedy , until now no one knows if kamerhe is really alive . As for the assaut it was thwarted pic.twitter.com/5Jq2vLRZQf https://t.co/9UlPO5wZFV
— Les Misérables (@Dachronica) May 19, 2024
As most may wonder where this attempted coup emerged from here is some context.
The attempted coup comes amid a crisis gripping President Felix Tshisekedi's ruling party over an election for the parliament's leadership which was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed.
President Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis amid his party, which dominates the national assembly.
In his words he said he would not "hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist."
The US Embassy in Congo issued a security alert, urging caution after reports of gunfire. The embassy also warned of ongoing activity by DRC security elements in the area.
