The Congolese army in the DRC claims to have “foiled a coup d’état” on Sunday morning. Three armed men were killed after a shooting not far from the presidential palace.
The Congolese army said Sunday it had foiled a coup earlier in the morning. The perpetrators were arrested, including several foreigners, following a shootout between armed men in military uniform and the guards of a senior political official in the capital, Kinshasa. The exchange of fire resulted in the death of three men, two police officers and one of the attackers.
The coup attempt was “nipped in the bud by the Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control,” said Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, during a press briefing. He did not give further details.
Clashes were reported between men in military uniforms and the guards of a local politician at his home on Tshatshi Boulevard, about 2 kilometers from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located.
The event came amid a crisis rocking President Félix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over parliamentary leadership elections that were due to take place on Saturday but were postponed.
The armed men attacked thehe residence of Vital Kamerhe, federal legislator and candidate for the presidency of the National Assembly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but were arrested by his guards, his spokesperson said on the social media platform
“The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced”he wrote.
Local media identified the men as Congolese soldiers. It was not clear whether the men in military uniforms were trying to arrest the politician.
Images, apparently from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading through the neighborhood’s deserted streets.
On Friday, President Félix Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the ruling coalition, the Sacred Union of the Nation, to try to resolve the crisis within his party which dominates the National Assembly.
He said he would not hesitate “to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist.”
Félix Tshisekedi was re-elected president last December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a re-vote from the opposition due to what it called a lack of transparency.
The U.S. Embassy in Congo issued a security alert, urging caution after “reports of gunshots.”