Six people were killed and dozens arrested following attacks on the residence of a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi and the presidential palace, in what the country's military described as a foiled coup attempt.
In December, Tshisekedi was re-elected as president amid calls for a revote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency.
The six who were killed included three assailants and their leader, the self-exiled opposition figure Christian Malanga, Congolese army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge told reporters on Sunday night, adding that around 50 perpetrators were arrested.
Armed men in military uniform clashed on Sunday with the guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator who is close to the Congolese president. Kamerhe's spokesperson posted on social media platform X, saying the guards were able to stop them and confirmed the lawmaker and his family were safe.
Killed during shootout
Two guards were also killed, Ekenge said.
At first, local media identified the armed men as Congolese soldiers but then reported they were linked to Malanga, who posted a video from inside the presidential palace on Facebook on Sunday threatening Tshisekedi.
The army spokesman said Malanga was later killed during a shootout with the presidential guards.
Ekenge said on state television that the attempted coup d’état was "nipped in the bud by Congolese defence and security forces (and) the situation is under control." Among the perpetrators were three Americans, including Malanga's son, he later said.
The attack came at a difficult time for Tshisekedi's ruling party, gripped by a crisis over an election for the parliament's leadership, which was supposed to be held on Saturday but was postponed.
➤ Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel for more stories.
