DRC: Confused situation in Kinshasa, army spokesperson speaks of an attempted coup d’état

By midday, the situation in the DRC was under control and the neighbourhood was sealed off. The attackers were arrested, according to the army spokesperson. General Sylvain Ekenge spoke of an “attempted coup d’état” involving both "foreigners and Congolese", all of whom were "incapacitated", he said, affirming that the armed forces had “perfect control of the situation”.

Early this Sunday morning, around 4 a.m., a group of around twenty armed men, dressed in military uniforms, attacked the residence of the Deputy Prime Minister of the DRC. Vital Kamerhe resides, when he is in Kinshasa, in the diplomatic district. Many ambassadors also reside in this district of La Gombe, between boulevards Roi Beaudoin, Tshatshi and the Pullman Hotel.

These men would have arrived by the river. There were exchanges of fire, as a resident testified: “It was shooting everywhere, they were not ordinary bullets but very large bullets. I don't know what they call them, but they were big balls. People were afraid. This is unusual, especially in Gombe. It is generally quiet and security is very tight. »

The commando enters the house of Vital Kamerhe, who manages to hide. Two police officers responsible for the security of the Deputy Prime Minister were killed. An attacker is dead. These attackers then retreated to the nearby presidential palace, where they dismantled the Congolese flag and raised the flag of Zaire, the former name of the DRC, in the palace courtyard. This is where they were dislodged by members of the Republican Guard.

Who are the attackers?

A source close to Defense confirms that the suspicions relate to Christian Malanga, a former officer, also a businessman who entered politics around ten years ago. He resided in the United States and, according to his writings; he advocated the advent of a new Zaire.

He died last night at the National Palace. He was accompanied during this armed action by his son who was reportedly arrested with several men. Finally, there would be several American nationals in this commando.

Former chief of staff to President Félix Tshisekedi, Vital Kamerhe was officially designated, at the end of April, as the candidate of the Sacred Union of the Nation, the parliamentary majority in the DRC, for the presidency of the National Assembly. During a primary organized by the political family of Félix Tshisekedi, he surpassed the two other candidates on Tuesday: Christophe Mboso, the current president of the lower house of Parliament, and Modeste Bahati, former president of the Senate.

Questions arise about this attack

The chronology of events with the attack first on Vital Kamerhe's residence raises questions. Was he the first target of this armed action? While Vital Kamerhe is probably the future president of the National Assembly, therefore soon be the second personality of the State. But the office election which was to take place on Saturday was once again postponed.

And then, why the Palais de la Nation? A strong symbol of the presidency of Kinshasa certainly, but today is more of a ceremonial palace than truly the seat of power. Besides, the president was not there that evening, he was in his residence.