Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The Democratic Republic of Congo's military announced that it had thwarted an attempted coup early Sunday morning, arresting the perpetrators, including several foreigners, after a deadly shootout near the residence of a prominent politician. The incident, which left three people dead, including two police officers and one of the attackers, unfolded in the Gombe area of the capital, just 2 kilometers from the presidential palace.
The attempted coup d'état was "nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces [and] the situation is under control," said Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese army. The armed men, donning military uniforms, attacked the Kinshasa home of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo. However, they were repelled by Kamerhe's guards, according to his spokesperson, Michel Moto Muhima, on the X social media platform.
The assailants targeted Kamerhe's residence around 4:30 a.m., triggering a fierce gun battle that left the neighborhood in shock. Footage from the area showed military trucks and heavily armed men patrolling deserted streets, as the city awoke to the news of the thwarted coup attempt.
The incident comes amid a political crisis within President Felix Tshisekedi's ruling party, sparked by the postponement of a parliamentary leadership election originally scheduled for Saturday. President Tshisekedi, who was reelected in December in a vote marred by controversy and calls for a revote, has vowed to "not hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist."
The U.S. embassy in the DR Congo issued a security alert, urging caution after reports of gunfire. The embassy's warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for further unrest in the central African country.
As the dust settles on this dramatic episode, the Congolese military has assured the public that the situation is under control and that those responsible for the attempted coup have been apprehended. The swift response by the defense and security forces has prevented what could have been a significant escalation in the country's ongoing political turmoil.
For now, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their military has once again proven its mettle in the face of adversity. As the nation moves forward, the focus will undoubtedly shift to addressing the root causes of the political crisis and ensuring that such attempts to destabilize the government are never successful.
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