A deadly shootout occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, on Sunday, as armed men in military uniforms clashed with the guards of a prominent politician.
The incident, described by the military as an attempted coup, resulted in three deaths: two police officers and one of the attackers.
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The assailants targeted the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and candidate for the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Kamerhe’s spokesman, Michel Moto Muhima, confirmed on social media that Kamerhe and his family were unharmed.
Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge announced in a televised address that the coup attempt had been thwarted and the perpetrators arrested.
He assured the public that the situation was under control, crediting the swift response of the Congolese defense and security forces.
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According to Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani, the military identified the attackers as predominantly foreigners or Congolese citizens based abroad, with some holding US and Canadian passports.
Despite initial reports identifying the armed men as Congolese soldiers, it was later suggested that they were linked to self-exiled opposition leader Christian Malanga.
In a live-streamed video, Malanga declared his intention to overthrow President Felix Tshisekedi.
The incident has heightened concerns about security, particularly given the attackers’ ability to penetrate a heavily protected area and target a high-profile government official.
Footage from the scene showed military trucks and heavily armed men patrolling the deserted streets of the neighborhood.
This attempted coup coincides with a leadership crisis within President Tshisekedi’s governing party.
An election for the parliament’s leadership was postponed amid internal disputes.
Tshisekedi warned parliamentarians that he might dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections if these conflicts continued.
Tshisekedi, re-elected in December in a contentious vote, faces ongoing opposition demands for a revote due to alleged electoral irregularities. In light of the recent violence, the US embassy in DR Congo issued a security alert, advising caution following reports of gunfire.
