By Ebi Kesiena
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have detained three US citizens for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt on Sunday.
Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the DRC army announced that the attempted coup involved both foreign nationals and Congolese individuals.
According to Ekenge, these foreign nationals and Congolese individuals, including their leader, have been apprehended adding that several suspects are now in custody and the situation is under control. However, he did not provide further details about the incident.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, expressed shock and deep concern over the involvement of American citizens. Photographs circulating in local media shows two men with interlocked hands, along with an image of a passport identifying one individual as a 36-year-old US citizen born in Maryland.
“We will collaborate fully with DRC authorities as they investigate these criminal acts and hold any US citizen accountable for their involvement,” Tamlyn tweeted.
The army’s announcement of thwarting the coup attempt followed an attack by armed individuals on the residence of Vital Kamerhe, former chief of staff and close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi.
Kamerhe’s residence is located approximately two kilometers from the presidential palace. Michel Muhima, Kamerhe’s spokesperson, reported that gunmen dressed in military attire engaged in a shootout with the politician’s guards, resulting in three fatalities.
