DRC President Commutes Death Sentences of Americans Convicted in Coup Plot
Image source: NBC News
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has changed the death sentences of three Americans, convicted of attempting a coup, to life imprisonment. This action arrives just prior to a visit from U.S. officials to the nation.
The Americans—Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun—were among the 37 individuals given death sentences by a military court in September. The botched coup, orchestrated by Christian Malanga, Marcel’s father, aimed at the presidential palace and the home of politician Vital Kamerhe in May 2024. The attempt led to a firefight with presidential guards, resulting in at least six fatalities, including Christian Malanga, who broadcast the event live.
President Félix Tshisekedi revealed the clemency in a televised address late Tuesday. His spokesperson, Tina Salama, confirmed, “The public prosecutor submitted the clemency petition based on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice.” CNN has reached out to Justice Minister Constant Mutamba for additional comments.
Salama highlighted that the clemency decision was not made to placate the U.S., despite the DRC’s ongoing efforts to establish a minerals-for-security alliance with the United States. She noted, “We do not have any agreement with the Americans at this moment regarding any intervention from them.”
CNN has also reached out to the U.S. State Department and the White House for their responses.
U.S. Senior Adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Corina Sanders, are set to visit the DRC on Thursday. The State Department has stated that their visit aims to “further efforts for sustainable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and promote U.S. private sector investment in the area.” They are also expected to travel to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya during their trip.
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