1. US involvement in coup attempt in Congo
2. Coup attempt in Congo with connections to US.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
DAKAR, Senegal — Three Americans were part of a brazen attack on Congo’s presidential palace over the weekend, led by the eccentric opposition figure Christian Malanga. The group’s unlikely alliance resulted in a failed coup attempt that left six people dead, including Malanga, and dozens arrested, according to Congolese army officials.
Christian Malanga, a former gold miner and used car dealer, persuaded his Utah-born son, Marcel, to join him in the foiled coup. The attack also targeted the residence of a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge stated.
Malanga’s Background and Motivations
Malanga, who described himself as a refugee who thrived after settling in the U.S. in the 1990s, was the leader of the United Congolese Party, a movement aimed at organizing emigres against the current Congolese government. He also claimed to be the president of the “New Zaire” government in exile, with plans to reform Congo’s security services and create business opportunities.
Malanga’s past included run-ins with the law, with convictions for assault and domestic violence incidents. Despite these challenges, he continued to pursue his political ambitions, meeting with high-level U.S. political figures such as former Utah Rep. Rob Bishop and New York Rep. Peter King, according to photos on his social media.
The Role of the Americans
One of the Americans involved in the coup attempt was identified as Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a University of Colorado graduate with a background in commodity trading. Zalman-Polun had connections to Malanga through a gold mining company set up in Mozambique in 2022.
Zalman-Polun had a past involvement in drug trafficking, having pleaded guilty to charges in 2015. Despite this, he played a role in the attempted coup, along with the third unidentified American.
International Response and Investigation
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa acknowledged the potential involvement of U.S. citizens in the violent events in Congo and pledged to cooperate with authorities in their investigation. The situation remains under control as Congolese officials work to unravel the events leading up to the foiled coup.
As more details emerge, the motivations and connections of the individuals involved in the coup attempt are being scrutinised, shedding light on the complex web of intrigue and ambition that led to the violent attack on Congo’s presidential palace.
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1. US military intervention in Congo coup attempt
2. US response to coup attempt in Congo.
