Congolese military foils attempted coup in Kinshasa
By Amina Wako |
Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese army, stated at a press briefing that the attempted coup was swiftly neutralized by defence and security forces, and the situation is now under control.
The Congolese army has reported that it successfully thwarted a coup attempt early Sunday morning, arresting the perpetrators, including several foreigners, after a shootout between armed men in military attire and guards of a prominent politician in Kinshasa.
Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese army, stated at a press briefing that the attempted coup was swiftly neutralised by defence and security forces, and that the situation was under control.
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"An attempted coup d'etat 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, as reported by Reuters, without specifying whether this meant they had been detained or killed.
Some reports indicated that the incident resulted in three fatalities.
Tina Salama, a spokeswoman for President Felix Tshisekedi, also confirmed to Reuters that the presidential palace had been attacked on Sunday morning but the army had retaken control.
The incident came amid a political crisis within Tshisekedi's ruling party, sparked by the postponement of a parliamentary leadership election scheduled for Saturday.
Clashes erupted between individuals wearing military attire and security personnel guarding the residence of a local politician on Tshatshi Boulevard, approximately two kilometres from the presidential palace and adjacent to several embassies.
Armed assailants targeted the Kinshasa home of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator who is close to the president and a contender for the position of speaker of the National Assembly of Congo.
They were repelled by Kamerhe's guards, according to his spokesperson, Michel Moto Muhima, who posted a message on the X social media platform.
“The Honourable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced,” he wrote.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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