Okechukwu Dike. 19/05/2024. 7:59 PM.
In the recent unsuccessful coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Christian Malanga, a lesser-known Congolese politician, and his business partner, Benjamin Zalman-Polun from the United States, were implicated. Malanga, who led the United Congolese Party based in the US, lost his life during the coup. Zalman-Polun, an entrepreneur based in the United States and active in the cannabis industry, was reportedly detained in connection with business activities involving Malanga's son. Their ventures included collaborations in mining and the fast-growing market for electronic cigarette liquids. Malanga broadcasted the coup live on Facebook, speaking of "a new Zaire" and displaying the flag of the Mobutu Sese Seko era. The armed forces successfully stopped the coup, and President Felix Tshisekedi remains in power after winning a contested second term in December.
The available information does not explicitly state the motivations behind the coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, coup attempts are commonly driven by political, economic, or power-related factors. In this case, the fringe Congolese politician Christian Malanga and his partner Benjamin Zalman-Polun were involved in mining ventures and the electronic cigarette liquids sector. The exact reasons for their actions remain speculative.
As per the available information, there are no specific details regarding other groups or individuals supporting Christian Malanga and Benjamin Zalman-Polun in the coup attempt. The situation is constantly changing, and further investigations may uncover additional insights.
Sources:
POLITICO.CD, News24, AP News
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