KINSHASA, Congo (AP) – President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo has commuted the death sentences of three Americans who were convicted for their involvement in a failed coup attempt in the capital city of Kinshasa last year. This decision was announced by presidential spokesperson Tina Salama on Wednesday, following a military court's ruling that sentenced more than 30 individuals to death in connection with the coup, which occurred over six months ago.
The commutation of the death sentences to life imprisonment comes amidst ongoing negotiations between Congolese authorities and the United States concerning a minerals deal that aims to secure U.S. support for combating rebel groups in the eastern regions of Congo, areas significantly affected by conflict.
During the coup attempt, which was led by the little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga, six people lost their lives. The plot targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa and was directed against a close associate of President Tshisekedi. Malanga was killed by security forces shortly after he live-streamed the attack on social media while resisting arrest.
Among those convicted were Marcel Malanga, the 21-year-old son of the coup leader, who holds U.S. citizenship, and two other Americans: Tyler Thompson Jr., also 21, a high school friend of Marcel, who had traveled to Africa under the pretense of a vacation, and 36-year-old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, who had connections with Christian Malanga through a gold mining enterprise.
Marcel Malanga testified in court that he, along with Thompson, was coerced into participating in the coup attempt by his father, who threatened their lives if they did not comply with his orders. Most of the defendants involved in this case were Congolese, although individuals from Britain, Belgium, and Canada were also among those charged with offenses including attempted coup, terrorism, and criminal association. Notably, fourteen of the defendants were acquitted during the trial.
In a related development, the U.S. Department of State announced that Massad Boulos, the newly appointed senior advisor for Africa under President Donald Trump's administration, will begin a visit to Congo along with three other African nations—Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda—starting on April 3. This visit is intended to facilitate sustainable peace initiatives in eastern Congo and encourage U.S. private sector investments in the region, according to a statement released by the State Department.
This significant commutation of sentences may have implications not just for the individuals involved but also for the diplomatic relations between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in light of military and economic cooperation efforts aimed at stabilizing the conflict affected eastern regions of the country.
