Failed Coup In The DRC: American Plotters Captured In Dramatic Fashion

In a dramatic turn of events in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one American is dead, and another was left pleading for his life after a failed coup attempt against President Felix Tshisekedi's government. 

Some local outlets claimed the men were CIA agents as they were paraded in the street but the US ambassador denied any involvement in the coup

Footage captured the chilling moment when two of the plotters were apprehended as they tried to flee across the Congo River. The video shows them groveling for mercy while bleeding on the street, surrounded by Congolese soldiers.

Marcel Malanga, 21, accompanied his father Christian from their home in Utah to the DRC with the intent to overthrow the government. The father was shot dead, and the son, along with two American co-conspirators, was arrested during the botched coup as the US government hastily distanced itself from the incident.

Marcel Malanga, 21, looked terrified as he was hauled into frame ahead of the coup attempt in a video posted to Facebook by his father 

"I am shocked by the events this morning and very worried by the reports of American citizens allegedly being involved," Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador to the DRC, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Rest assured that we are cooperating with authorities in DRC to the fullest extent possible, as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any American citizen involved."

Among those seized was Benjamin Zalman-Polun, a 36-year-old former cannabis dealer from Maryland, whose passport was displayed by the victorious troops. Congolese authorities also reported that another American and a British national were being questioned in custody.

"A coup d'etat attempt has been stopped by the defense and security forces," said General Sylvain Ekenge in a national television broadcast. "Around 50 individuals, including three American citizens, were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation by the Armed Forces' specialized services."

Christian Malanga posed with his son in battle dress as Marcel turned 20 last year 

Local media speculated about a CIA plot to seize control of the mineral-rich nation, but evidence pointed to fewer than 100 men involved. The heavily armed group announced the coup on Facebook, but their effort was swiftly quelled.

Marcel Malanga had moved to Salt Lake City as a 15-year-old refugee in 1998. After leaving school, he set up a car dealership and later a non-profit organization. He returned to Congo in 2006, served in the military, and even stood for parliament in 2011. His political ambitions were thwarted when he was arrested two days before the election, and he eventually returned to the US in 2012.

Marcel's son, also named Marcel, was born in 2003 and grew up in Utah. He frequently posted pictures with his school friends on social media. Two years ago, he posed in military fatigues with his father, celebrating his 20th birthday. However, during the coup attempt, he appeared terrified as he was shown off by the plotters.

Christian Malanga had campaigned for religious freedom and was appointed ambassador of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable in 2013. He was previously accused of plotting to assassinate then-President Joseph Kabila but was seen by some as a potential leader in waiting. The African Leaders Program had even invited him to a political conference in Georgia in 2016, where he learned about fighting corruption and other governance reforms.

Despite billing himself as a crusader against corruption, Malanga was identified by the Congolese military as the coup leader. The group had planned to attack the homes of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa and Defense Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba but failed to locate their targets.

Videos on social media showed the plotters brandishing flags of Zaire, the former name of the DRC under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. "The time has arrived, long live Zaire, long live the children of Mobutu," a man declared in Lingala. However, the Congolese forces ultimately prevailed after a gunfight outside Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe's home. Two police officers were killed in the attack, but Kamerhe and his family were unharmed.

General Ekenge reported that four attackers, including Christian Malanga, were killed. The captured Marcel Malanga was shown in a video alongside a British-accented accomplice, both appearing bloodied and fearful as they were taken away by troops.

The DRC has long been plagued by violence from paramilitary groups vying for control of its mineral wealth. US interest in the country has grown due to its vast reserves of cobalt and other minerals crucial for the global green energy transition. However, the country's humanitarian situation has been described as a "silent genocide" by human rights organizations, with families forced into brutal conditions to extract minerals.

In recent years, the US has faced challenges in maintaining its influence in Africa amid aggressive Chinese and Russian diplomacy. The DRC incident adds to a series of clandestine military operations in the region, including failed coups and mercenary activities.

Despite the chaos, President Tshisekedi was re-elected in December, receiving over 70% of the vote. Yet, five months after the election, he has yet to form a new government. The political landscape remains tense as the country continues to navigate its complex challenges.

In the Congolese capital, streets near the Palais de la Nation remained closed to traffic, but the situation appeared calm. "I'm a little afraid to move around in Gombe, there aren't many people... But I have to sell my goods," said Jean-Mbuta, a local bread-seller.