Three American Citizens Sentenced to Death in DRC Coup Attempt

Death Sentences for American Citizens in Congolese Coup Attempt

In a striking turn of events, three American citizens were among 37 individuals handed the death penalty on Friday due to their involvement in a thwarted coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that took place four months prior. The coup, which occurred on May 19, resulted in a deadly confrontation near the presidential palace, claiming the lives of three people and leading to a brief occupation of a presidential office by armed assailants.

The alleged mastermind of the coup, Christian Malanga, an outspoken critic of the Congolese government and leader of a minor opposition party, streamed the attack live before being killed by security forces. Among the condemned were his son, Marcel Malanga, and his high school friend, Tyler Thompson, both in their twenties and American nationals. Their involvement in the coup has raised questions about coercion and free will.

During the court proceedings in July, Marcel Malanga claimed he had no prior knowledge of the coup’s planning, asserting that he and Thompson were compelled to participate under duress. “Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders,” he reportedly stated, as quoted by Reuters.

The court found the 37 individuals guilty of various charges, including criminal conspiracy and terrorism, while an additional 14 were acquitted. Notably, another American citizen, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was identified as a business associate of Christian Malanga, contributing to the international implications of the case.

Among those sentenced was Jean-Jacques Wondo, a respected researcher focusing on political and security matters in Africa’s Great Lakes region, who holds dual citizenship in the DRC and Belgium. His conviction underscores the far-reaching consequences of the coup attempt on civil society and academia in the region.

The backdrop of this coup is significant, given the recent trend of military takeovers in several African nations, fueled by widespread public dissatisfaction with elected leaders often perceived as corrupt and self-serving. Christian Malanga’s movement, dubbed New Zaïre, harkens back to the era of Mobutu Sese Seko, who renamed the DRC as Zaïre following his coup in 1965, before the country reverted to its current name in 1997.

In a video recorded in the presidential offices prior to his death, Christian Malanga accused President Felix Tshisekedi of “doing stupid things.” With his men, some donned in military fatigues and flip-flops, he waved a flag bearing a torch, symbolizing his rebellion.

The verdict was announced at a military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa, where the defendants, dressed in blue and yellow uniforms, awaited their fate. The proceedings were broadcast on Congolese television, allowing the public a glimpse into this high-profile case. The Americans sat together on blue plastic chairs, exchanging whispers as the gravity of their situation unfolded.

Although the DRC has not formally abolished the death penalty, there had been a moratorium on executions for over 20 years. However, in a controversial move, the government declared in March that it would resume executions, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations worldwide. President Tshisekedi himself has characterized the nation’s justice system as “sick,” reflecting the deep-rooted challenges facing governance and human rights in the DRC.