Government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have successfully thwarted an attempted coup. The incident, which unfolded Saturday night has left the nation on edge as authorities work to restore order and investigate those involved.
“An attempted coup d’etat has been put down by the defense and security forces. The attempt involved foreigners and Congolese. These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader,” Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge.
The attempted coup d’état was “nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control,” spokesman Sylvain Ekenge said with no further details.
Clashes were reported between men in military uniform and guards of a local politician at the politician’s house on Tshatshi Boulevard, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located.
This came amid a crisis gripping President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over an election for the parliament’s leadership which was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed.
The armed men attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, but were stopped by his guards, Michel Moto Muhima, his spokesperson said on the X social media platform.
“The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced,” he wrote.
Earlier, two guards and an assailant were killed in an attack on the nearby home of Vital Kamerhe, a member of parliament who is expected to be named speaker, Kamerhe’s spokesman and the Japanese ambassador said in posts on X.
