Congo’s army have thwarted an attempted coup early Sunday morning in Kinshasa, resulting in the arrest of several individuals, including foreign nationals. Heavy shooting was reported, leaving three people dead. The situation is currently under control.
The clash between armed men in military uniforms and the guards of a prominent politician left three people dead.
The army spokesperson, Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, confirmed that the coup attempt was proactively quashed and that the situation was now under control.
However, he did not provide additional details about the incident.
The confrontation took place at the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for the National Assembly’s speaker, located on Tshatshi Boulevard, approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace. This area also houses several embassies.
The attack occurred against the backdrop of internal strife within President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over a postponed parliamentary leadership election initially scheduled for Saturday.
According to Michel Moto Muhima, Kamerhe’s spokesperson, the armed men attempted to breach Kamerhe’s residence but were repelled by his security detail. “The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced,” Muhima stated on social media platform X.
Local media reports indicated that the attackers were identified as Congolese soldiers, though their exact motives remain unclear. It is not yet known if they were attempting to arrest Kamerhe.
The shootout, which began around 4:30 a.m., resulted in the deaths of two police officers and one of the attackers, as reported by Muhima. Footage from the scene showed military vehicles and heavily armed personnel patrolling the deserted streets nearby.
This incident follows President Tshisekedi’s meeting with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition on Friday, aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis within his party. Tshisekedi warned that he might dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections if the internal disputes continued.
President Félix Tshisekedi, who won a second term in December’s divisive and chaotic elections, faces the tasks of reuniting the country and addressing raging violence in the east. It is a tall order, but diplomacy – with domestic opponents and regional leaders.
The U.S. Embassy in Congo has issued a security alert, urging American citizens in the area to exercise caution following reports of an attempted coup and gunfire.
Thediscovererng.com reports that some countries in Africa including Niger, Gabon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, among others, have witnessed coups in previous years.
