The army of the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented the assassination of President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, the BBC reported.
It is said that Congolese and foreign fighters were involved in the assassination attempt in the capital.
General Sylvain Ekenge, a spokesman for the Congolese army, said 50 suspects, including three Americans and a British citizen, had been detained.
Previously, he said on state television RTNC that the situation was under control.
He addressed the public several hours after gunmen stormed the house of Vital Kamerhe, former chief of staff and a close ally of President Tshisekedi, in the morning.
It is added that eyewitnesses said that a group of about 20 attackers in military uniforms entered the residence and that a shooting started.
“Then two guards and the attacker were killed,” Kamerhe‘s spokesman said.
The attackers also occupied the Palace of Nations and the office of the president in the city center, which was specially secured by the Republican Guard.
Former politician killed
President Tshisekedi has so far not publicly commented on the situation.
Local media report that the attackers were members of the New Zaire Movement, associated with Christian Malanga, a former Congolese politician in exile.
“Malanga was killed in the presidential palace after resisting arrest,” General Ekenge said.
His son, Marcel Malanga, is among three American citizens arrested for the alleged coup attempt.
The United States (U.S.) ambassador to the Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, said she was shocked by the allegations that the Americans may have participated in the coup attempt.
“Please be assured that we will be cooperating with the Congolese authorities as they investigate this crime,” Tamlyn wrote in a post on X.
African Union President Moussa Faki said he strongly condemned the coup attempt.
President Tshisekedi began his second term last year in December, when he won about 78 percent of the vote in disputed elections. Nearly 20 people were killed in the violence ahead of the election.
Photo: Illustration
