Peter Kazadi : Kinshasa Attack: Coup or Assassination Bid? Questions Arise

Following the recent failed coup d’état in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), authorities are facing a multitude of unanswered questions. The Congolese government has stated that investigations into the coup attempt are ongoing, but no definitive answers have been provided.

Peter Kazadi, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Interior and Security ministry, implicated foreign involvement in the coup plot. Kazadi claimed that the coup plotters, who targeted Vital Kamerhe’s residence and the presidential palace, had entered Kongo Central from Angola with the assistance of collaborators within the DRC.

Kongo Central, the province where Kinshasa is located, witnessed the attempted coup just before Kamerhe’s election as Speaker of the National Assembly. The accusations against Angolan nationals have raised concerns about potential strains in the DRC’s relationship with Angola, a key mediator in the region.

American nationals have also been linked to the coup attempt, with footage emerging of individuals purported to be Americans. US Ambassador to Kinshasa, Lucy Tamlyn, condemned the incident and expressed willingness to cooperate with Congolese authorities in identifying and holding accountable any US citizens involved in the coup.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the attack on the presidential palace and offered US support for investigations. However, Kinshasa’s response to this offer remains uncertain, given recent tensions over alleged American involvement in profiting from conflict minerals in the DRC.

The leader of the failed coup, Christian Malanga, a Congolese-American, was killed during the operation. Malanga, who had military training in the US, attempted to seize power with a group of armed men, citing a desire to “oust the scam in power and restore Zaire.”

Malanga’s family connections in the US and his history of political activity, including the formation of the United Congolese Party and a self-proclaimed “government in exile,” shed light on his motivations for the coup attempt.

Despite the failed coup, questions remain about the strategic targets chosen by the coup plotters. Analysts have raised concerns about the logic behind targeting Kamerhe, a newly elected official, over President Tshisekedi, and the apparent lack of a coherent plan during the coup attempt.

As investigations continue and international scrutiny intensifies, the aftermath of the failed coup in Kinshasa has left many wondering about the future of the DRC’s political landscape and its relationships with foreign entities.