The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has witnessed the suppression of an attempted coup, plunging the nation into uncertainty as authorities scrambled to restore calm and unravel the intricacies surrounding the brazen act.
The upheaval unfolded late Saturday night when clashes erupted between individuals donning military attire and the guards of a prominent local politician at a residence on Tshatshi Boulevard. This location, a mere stone’s throw from the presidential palace and nestled among diplomatic missions, became the battleground where the assailants targeted Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and contender for the speaker position in the National Assembly of Congo.
Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge confirmed the thwarting of the coup attempt, disclosing that both foreign elements and Congolese nationals were involved in the scheme. However, specific details regarding the identities of the perpetrators remained undisclosed.
Michel Moto Muhima, spokesperson for Kamerhe, provided reassurance regarding the safety of the politician and his family, highlighting the timely intervention of their security detail. Regrettably, casualties ensued, with two police officers and one attacker succumbing during the exchange of gunfire.
Amidst these tumultuous events, footage circulating online depicted a heightened military presence, with armoured vehicles and heavily armed personnel patrolling eerily deserted streets in the vicinity. This incident unfolded against a backdrop of political turbulence within President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party, exacerbated by the postponement of a crucial parliamentary leadership election slated for the same day.
President Tshisekedi, to quell the brewing crisis, convened with parliamentarians and coalition leaders from the ruling Sacred Union of the Nation. Firm in his stance, he issued a stern warning against perpetuating “undesirable practices” within the National Assembly, signalling his readiness to dissolve the assembly and initiate fresh elections if necessary.
The nation grapples with the aftermath of the foiled coup and tensions continue to simmer on the political front, the government endeavours to reassure citizens of its control over the situation.
Citizens are urged to carry out their daily activities with peace of mind, even as investigations into the motives and identities behind the thwarted coup unfold, underscoring the fragile nature of political stability in the DRC.
