How did the failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo unfold?

According to the military, in the early morning of May 19, a group of about 50 people wearing camouflage uniforms attacked the residences of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and a senior politician who was expected to become the Chairman of the National Assembly.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. Photo: Reuters

Authorities called it a planned coup. The group broke into the Palais de la Nation building in the center of the capital Kinshasa - the main residence and workplace of President Felix Tshisekedi.

According to videos on social media, armed men can be seen approaching the entrance of the Presidential Palace, smashing glass doors. They are flying Zaire (the old name of Congo) flags and shouting: "Long live Zaire".

Security forces then moved in and shot dead the group's leader, Congolese politician Christian Malanga, and three others. The army said about 40 others had been arrested.

Christian Malanga, 41, calls himself "President of New Zaire". He settled in the US, then returned to Congo to campaign, stirring up opposition to the current Congolese political class.

According to military spokesman Sylvain Ekenge, Malanga had threatened to overthrow President Tshisekedi on social media. In 2017, he attempted his first coup but failed.

Congolese authorities said the coup plotters included Congolese and other nationalities. Three US citizens, including Malanga's son, were among those detained. The US ambassador said he would cooperate fully with Congolese authorities and hold accountable any US citizens involved.

Political analyst Tresor Kibangula at Congo's Ebuteli think tank said the speed with which the coup attempt was put down showed the plotters did not pose a major threat, but the fact they attacked high-security targets was cause for concern.

The incident comes at a sensitive time for President Tshisekedi, who is struggling to contain a two-year offensive by Rwanda-backed rebels in eastern Congo that risks spilling into a wider conflict.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuoc-dao-chinh-that-bai-o-chdc-congo-da-dien-ra-nhu-the-nao-post296277.html