The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army has announced that it has successfully repelled an attempted coup d’etat. According to army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge, the coup attempt involved both Congolese and foreign fighters and was thwarted on Sunday morning.
In a televised address on state-run RTNC TV, Ekenge stated that the situation is now under control and several suspects have been detained. The leader of the coup attempt was among those put out of action, he added.
The attempted coup comes amid political tensions in the country, with a dispute in the ruling party over the postponement of an election for the leadership of the national assembly. President Felix Tshisekedi, who was reelected in December 2023, met with parliamentarians and party leaders on Friday in an effort to resolve the crisis.
Earlier on Sunday, armed men attacked the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a former chief of staff and close ally of President Tshisekedi. The attack, which occurred about two kilometers from the presidential palace, left three people dead, including two police officers and one of the attackers.
The DRC army has not provided further information about the incident.
