Brit captured in failed DR Congo coup as armed militia storm presidential palace
A British man has been captured after a failed Democratic Republic of Congo coup that has left six dead.
The Brit is believed to be the second in command while Congolese-American politician Christian Malanga has been named as the leader of the attempted revolt.
Footage taken in the capital Kinshasa shows a man speaking with a British accent as he is held by officials and tells them: “No weapons”. It is not known whether he is the Brit being held.
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The same man can also be seen being dragged barefoot wearing just a t-shirt and trousers over a bridge, and standing next to the son of the coup’s leader.
(Image: X)
Dozens of men armed with rifles and dressed in military gear attacked a minister’s home, then the presidential palace in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Four attackers and two guards were killed in the shootouts, which lasted around three hours before Congolese security forces overpowered the militia.
The coup’s leader Malanga, 41, is one of the dead. He was shot after storming the palace with his son Marcel, 21, and right-hand man American Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 36. Marcel, who grew up in Utah, is now being held prisoner.
(Image: Facebook)
DRC Army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge said around 50 people have been arrested including three Americans and a Brit. They said the group was made up of “several nationalities” and all were being interrogated in custody.
The spokesperson added: “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. Around 50, including three American citizens – were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation by the specialised services of the Armed Forces.
“We also have a naturalised British subject, the number two of the group.”
(Image: AP)
Malanga is originally from Kinshasa but moved to Salt Lake City in Utah with his family in 1998. According to reports Malanga is a political extremist and previously attempted a coup in the country in 2017.
British ambassador to the Congo, Alyson King said on X: “I strongly condemn the armed attacks perpetrated against Vital Kamerhe and the Palais de la Nation today at Kinshasa.
“My most sincere thoughts go out to the innocent victims and condolences to their families.”
The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
