Okechukwu Dike. 19/05/2024. 06:31 PM.
On Saturday night, the Democratic Republic of Congo was thrust into turmoil with an attempted coup d’état against President Felix Tshikedi in its capital city, Kinshasa. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the announcement on national television the following day. Even more alarming, the coup attempt targeted vital Kamerhe, a prominent politician and a candidate for the presidency of the National Assembly. His spokesman, Michel Moto Muhima, confirmed this on his X account.
The confrontation resulted in the loss of one assailant and two police guards, according to Al Jazeera. Military spokesman Ekenge confirmed that the attack, carried out by both domestic and foreign forces, was promptly suppressed. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya corroborated this account.
The repercussions of this attempted coup reach far beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A media outlet based in Kinshasa has reported that self-exiled politician Christian Malanga and his New Zaire movement are likely responsible for the attacks. The international connection is apparent, as at least three armed men featured in Malanga’s livestream video were wearing uniforms with American flag patches. This revelation has alerted the world, with authorities closely monitoring developments.
The involvement of American citizens in this attempted coup has raised serious concerns. Washington’s ambassador to Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, expressed her shock and concern regarding the events that unfolded on the morning of the coup. She specifically addressed these reports, pledging full cooperation with the Democratic of the Congo (DRC) authorities as they investigate these criminal acts and hold any US citizen accountable. If confirmed, this development could potentially strain the relations between the two nations.
As Bloomberg News reported, Kamerhe is a political heavyweight in the Democratic Republic of Congo who has been a significant figure in the country’s politics for nearly two decades. His political journey began when he led former President Joseph Kabila’s inaugural election campaign in 2006. In a surprising turn, Kamerhe ran for president against his former boss in 2011, ultimately finishing third. 2018, an agreement was reached that would have allowed Kamerhe to run for president in 2023. However, this arrangement was disrupted by a corruption investigation. Kamerhe was convicted of participating in the theft of over $50 million from infrastructure projects. Remarkably, his conviction was overturned in 2022. Last year, he assumed the position of deputy prime minister for the economy, leading up to President Tshisekedi’s successful reelection in December.
According to Africa News, President Felix Tshisekedi convened a crucial meeting with parliamentarians and leaders to address the current crisis within his party, which holds a dominant position in the national assembly. He unequivocally declared his readiness to dissolve the National Assembly and organize new elections should these detrimental practices persist. Could this have led to the coup attempt?
The authorities are working to restore order and investigate those involved. The situation is now under control, and the nation can breathe a sigh of relief. However, further details still need to be provided. The Japanese and American ambassadors in the Congolese capital have warned their nationals not to go out.
Sources:
Africa News, Bloomberg, BBC.
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