The leader of an attempted coup on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been killed, and some 50 people arrested.
Those arrested include three American citizens.
Reuters reports that armed men attacked the presidency in the centre of the capital Kinshasa from where gunfire rang around out 4 a.m.
Another attack is reported to have taken place at the nearby home of Vital Kamerhe, a member of parliament tipped to become speaker of the house.
A U.S.-based Congolese named Christian Malanga is said to be behind the attempted coup.
Michel Moto Muhima, Kamerhe’s spokesperson, is quoted as having told Reuters that “Malanga was definitely neutralized during the attack on the Palais de la Nation, a certain Aboubacar was neutralized during the attack on the residence of Vital Kamerhe [and] the others – around 50 including three American citizens – were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation by the specialized services of the Armed Forces.”
In a post on social media, U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn said she was very concerned about reports that American citizens were allegedly involved in the events.
“Please be assured that we will cooperate with the DRC authorities to the fullest extent as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved in criminal acts,” she said.
The United Nations’ stabilization mission in the DRC said that its chief, Bintou Keita, condemned the incidents in the strongest terms and offered her support to the Congolese authorities.
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