An attempted coup unfolded near the presidential offices of President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident, thwarted by the military, occurred in the Gombe area, north of the capital, near the residence of economy minister Vital Kamerhe. General Sylvain Ekenge, the army spokesperson, confirmed the intervention, stating, “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces.”
He further mentioned that the perpetrators, described as “foreigners and Congolese… including their leader,” were neutralized. Shots were reported near the Palais de la Nation during the attempt.
Details beyond this were not immediately disclosed, with official sources remaining silent in response to inquiries from AFP.
Despite the tension, calm prevailed in the city later in the morning, as reported by AFP journalists. Social media erupted with reports of armed men attacking Kamerhe’s residence before heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
Ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa of Japan confirmed the attack, stating that Kamerhe emerged unharmed, but casualties included two policemen and an assailant. France’s ambassador also reported gunfire in the area, urging nationals to steer clear.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals at the Palais de la Nation donning military attire and waving Zaire flags, evoking memories of Mobutu Sese Seko’s era. Heavily armed military vehicles were witnessed moving from the Palais de la Nation towards a significant intersection in Gombe. Roads leading to key government buildings were blocked, with soldiers maintaining tight security around Tshisekedi’s offices on Boulevard Thsatshi.
Tshisekedi, re-elected in December with over 70 percent of the vote, has yet to form a government nearly five months after the elections. Meanwhile, Kamerhe’s political trajectory continued, with his recent nomination as a candidate for president of the National Assembly, the DRC’s principal legislative body.