The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has commuted the death sentences of three American citizens convicted for their roles in a failed coup attempt last year. President Felix Tshisekedi reduced their sentences to life imprisonment on Tuesday, according to presidential spokesperson Tina Salam.
The three Americans were among 37 people sentenced to death last year on charges of terrorism and criminal association after an attempted coup led by opposition figure Christian Malanga. The attack, which targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of Tshisekedi, resulted in six deaths. Malanga was fatally shot by security forces after resisting arrest.
Also Read: UN Security Council Sanctions Six DRC Armed Group Leaders
Among the convicted Americans is Malanga’s 21-year-old son, Marcel Malanga, who told the court his father had coerced him and another American, Tyler Thompson Jr., into participating. The third US national, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, was reportedly linked to Christian Malanga through a gold mining venture. The group included other foreign nationals from Britain, Belgium, and Canada, along with Congolese citizens.
The commutation comes as Kinshasa seeks stronger security cooperation with the United States. The US State Department confirmed on Tuesday that Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Africa, will visit the DRC this month to discuss peace efforts in the conflict-hit east and strengthen private sector investment.
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.