Following a commutation of their death sentences to life in prison, three Americans involved in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo have returned to the U.S. The repatriation aligns with ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Congo regarding mineral resources.
Three U.S. Nationals Return Home After DR Congo Coup Case
Three U.S. Nationals Return Home After DR Congo Coup Case
Three Americans previously sentenced by a Congolese military court for a failed coup have been repatriated to the U.S. to serve their sentences domestically.
Three Americans convicted for participating in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year have been returned to the United States to serve their sentences in an American prison. Originally sentenced to death by a military tribunal, their sentences were recently commuted to life imprisonment, prompting their repatriation.
US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the three individuals—Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin—are now in U.S. custody after leaving Kinshasa's N'Djili International Airport. Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama noted that the transfer complied with local legal procedures.
This resettlement occurs amid ongoing negotiations between the United States and DRC regarding exploitation of the country’s mineral resources, primarily coltan and cobalt, essential for modern electronics and electric vehicle batteries. A senior adviser to former President Donald Trump expressed optimism about "multibillion-dollar investments" in the partnership.
Last September, a military court condemned the three Americans along with 34 others to death for their alleged involvement in orchestrating attacks on key political figures, including an assault on the presidential palace. While the Americans denied any wrongdoing, the operations' purported leader, Christian Malanga, perished in the incidents, along with five others. The outcome of other foreign nationals involved in the case remains uncertain.
Additionally, due to health concerns, a Congolese-Belgian citizen sentenced to death was transferred to Belgium earlier this year. Reports indicate that the DRC government intends to compensate for damages incurred by protests against the US embassy earlier this year, though U.S. officials have refrained from commenting on this development.
The U.S. continues to express support for DRC's legal actions, emphasizing the need for humane treatment and fair judicial processes for all parties involved. The survival of foreign nationals linked to the coup is a growing point of discussion as international relations in the region evolve.
