The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army announced it has successfully repelled an attempted coup d’état. The coup, which took place on Sunday morning, involved both Congolese and foreign fighters.
In a televised address on state-run RTNC TV, DRC army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge confirmed the thwarted coup. “An attempted coup d’état has been put down by the defence and security forces. The attempt involved foreigners and Congolese. These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader,” Ekenge said.
Ekenge added that several suspects have been detained and assured that the “situation is now under control.” However, he did not provide further details about the identities of the suspects or the specifics of the coup attempt.
The announcement came shortly after an armed attack on the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a former chief of staff and close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. Kamerhe’s home, located about two kilometers from the presidential palace, was attacked by gunmen in military uniform, resulting in a shootout with Kamerhe’s guards. The incident left three people dead, including two police officers and one attacker, according to Kamerhe’s spokesperson Michel Muhima.
The unrest in the DRC coincides with internal disputes within the ruling party over the postponement of an election for the leadership of the country’s national assembly. President Tshisekedi, who was reelected in December 2023, met with parliamentarians and party leaders on Friday to address the crisis.
The situation highlights ongoing political instability in the DRC, a nation that has struggled with internal conflict and governance issues for years.
