The Democratic Republic of Congo military thwarted an attempted coup near the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, involving foreigners and Congolese, on Sunday.
According to AFP, the army spokesperson disclosed this in a statement.
The coup attempt occurred in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe area, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
“An attempted coup d’état has been stopped by the defence and security forces,” announced General Sylvain Ekenge in a broadcast on national television. He added that the “foreigners and Congolese … including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm.”
Reports from multiple sources revealed that shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation at the time of the coup attempt. However, Ekenge did not provide further details on the incident, and official sources contacted by AFP have yet to respond.
Later in the morning, AFP journalists reported that the situation in the city was calm. Early reports on social media suggested an attack on Kamerhe’s home by armed men, with some of the attackers then proceeding to the Palais de la Nation.
Japan’s ambassador, Hidetoshi Ogawa, confirmed on X that there was “an armed attack” at the residence of the economy minister. Kamerhe “was not harmed… (but) two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources,” he added.
France’s ambassador noted automatic weapons fire in the area, advising nationals to avoid the vicinity.
Social media videos showed men in military fatigues at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. AFP was unable to verify these videos.
Several heavily armed military vehicles were observed moving from the Palais de la Nation towards a major intersection in Gombe, and roadblocks were set up by soldiers, blocking access to Boulevard Thsatshi near President Tshisekedi’s offices.
President Tshisekedi, who was re-elected in December with over 70 percent of the vote, has not yet formed a government five months after the elections. Kamerhe was recently named a candidate for president of the National Assembly, the DRC’s main legislative body.
