Democratic Republic of the Congo thwarts attempted coup

"An attempted coup d'etat has been put down by the defense and security forces. The attempt involved foreigners and Congolese. These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader," said Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge.

"The armed forces of the DRC ask the population to go about their business freely and peacefully. The defense and security forces are in complete control of the situation," Brigadier General Ekenge added, but provided no further details.

Clashes were reported between men in military uniform and guards of a local politician at the politician’s house on Tshatshi Boulevard, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace, an area also housing several embassies.

The armed men attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly, but were repelled by his guards, according to his spokesperson, Michel Moto Muhima, who reported the incident on the X social media platform.

“The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced,” Muhima wrote.

Local media identified the assailants as Congolese soldiers. It remains unclear if the men in military uniform were attempting to arrest the politician.

The shootout, which began around 4:30 a.m. (0330GMT) at Kamerhe’s house, resulted in the deaths of two police officers and one attacker, according to Muhima. Footage from the area showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading through deserted streets in the neighborhood.

The coup attempt comes amid a crisis within President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over an election for the parliament’s leadership, which was scheduled for Saturday but postponed.

On Friday, President Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition to resolve the internal crisis. He warned that he would not "hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist."

The situation in Kinshasa remains tense as authorities continue their investigations and maintain heightened security measures. (ILKHA)