- Successful thwarting of Coup
- Foreign and domestic involvement
- Call for calm Amidst uncertainty
Government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have successfully averted a coup attempt, creating a sense of unease across the nation as authorities strive to restore stability and unravel the plot’s intricacies.
According to Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, “An attempted coup d’etat has been suppressed by the defense and security forces. The attempt involved both foreign nationals and Congolese individuals. These individuals, along with their leader, have been neutralized.”
Ekenge assured the populace, stating, “The armed forces of the DRC urge citizens to resume their daily activities freely and peacefully, as the defense and security forces maintain complete control over the situation,” providing no further specifics.
The disturbance unfolded with clashes between individuals donning military attire and guards of a local politician at the politician’s residence on Tshatshi Boulevard, situated approximately 2 kilometers from the presidential palace and several embassies.
This incident occurred against the backdrop of a crisis within President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party, triggered by the postponement of a parliamentary leadership election slated for Saturday.
The armed assailants targeted the Kinshasa home of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and contender for the position of National Assembly speaker, but were repelled by his security detail, as confirmed by his spokesperson, Michel Moto Muhima.
Muhima reassured the public, stating, “The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are unharmed. Their security measures have been bolstered.”
Although local media identified the assailants as Congolese soldiers, their motive, whether to apprehend the politician or for other reasons, remains unclear.
A skirmish ensued around 4:30 a.m. (0330GMT) at the Tshatshi Boulevard residence, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and one attacker, as reported by Muhima.
Footage from the vicinity depicted military vehicles and heavily armed personnel patrolling deserted streets in the vicinity.
On the preceding Friday, President Felix Tshisekedi engaged in discussions with parliamentarians and leaders of the ruling coalition, the Sacred Union of the Nation, in a bid to resolve the internal strife within his dominant party in the national assembly.
He underscored his resolve, asserting, “I will not hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and call for fresh elections should such malpractices persist.”
