Gunfire in Congo’s capital as men in military uniform clash with politician’s guards

KINSHASA, Congo– KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s army says it “thwarted a coup” early Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, after a shootout between gunmen in military uniforms and guards from a close ally of the president of the Congo that left three people dead. died in the capital, Kinshasa.

Local media initially identified the gunmen as Congolese soldiers, but later reported that they were linked to self-exiled opposition leader Christian Malanga, who later posted a video on Facebook threatening President Felix Tshisekedi.

Tshisekedi was re-elected president in December in a chaotic vote amid opposition calls for a new vote over what they said was a lack of transparency. The Central African country has witnessed similar trends of contested elections in the past.

Congolese army spokesman Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge said on state television on Sunday that the coup attempt was “nipped in the bud by the Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control.” He did not give further details.

This also came amid a crisis affecting Tshisekedi’s ruling party over parliamentary leadership elections that were supposed to be held on Saturday but were postponed.

Clashes were reported Sunday between men dressed in military uniform and guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal lawmaker and candidate for president of Congo’s National Assembly, at his residence in Kinshasa, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace. and where some embassies are also located.

Kamerhe’s guards detained the gunmen, said Michel Moto Muhima, the politician’s spokesman on social media platform

The images, apparently from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading through the neighborhood’s deserted streets as the army said the situation had been controlled.

Meanwhile, the self-exiled Malanga appeared in the live-streamed video surrounded by several people in military uniform and said: “Félix, you are out. “We’re coming for you.”

On its website, the opposition leader’s group, the United Congolese Party (UCP), describes itself as “a grassroots platform unifying the Congolese diaspora around the world who oppose the current Congolese dictatorship.”

Tshisekedi has so far not addressed the public about Sunday’s events.

On Friday he met with parliamentarians and leaders of the ruling Sacred Union of the Nation coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis affecting his party, which dominates the National Assembly. He said he would not “hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist.”

The U.S. Embassy in Congo issued a security alert on Sunday, urging caution after “reports of gunshots.”

——

Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Associated Press journalist Ruth Alonga in Goma, Congo, and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv contributed.