The trio, originally condemned by a military court, includes Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin, who left Kinshasa amid discussions of US-DR Congo relations focused on the country’s mineral resources.
Three Americans Convicted in DR Congo Coup Attempt Repatriated to the US
Three Americans Convicted in DR Congo Coup Attempt Repatriated to the US
Three Americans, previously sentenced to death for their involvement in a coup attempt in DR Congo, have returned to the US for the remainder of their prison sentences following a commutation to life imprisonment.
Three American nationals, convicted of attempting to overthrow the Congolese government in a failed coup, have been repatriated to the United States. Initially sentenced to death, their sentences were recently commuted to life imprisonment, sparking discussions between the US and the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding potential economic cooperation. The three convicts—Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin—were escorted from their prison cells to N'Djili International Airport in Kinshasa to begin serving their sentences in the US.
The repatriation follows high-level talks between the two nations, with potential multibillion-dollar investments aimed at exploiting Congo's rich mineral deposits such as coltan and cobalt, crucial for modern technology. The US State Department confirmed their custody while emphasizing support for DR Congo’s legal processes and accountability measures.
Legal experts suggest the American convicts may not have their sentences shortened further, despite the US government’s condemnation of their actions during the attempted coup last year, where violence led to significant unrest and the death of the plot's leader. Meanwhile, ongoing diplomatic efforts are addressing broader issues, including damage claims related to recent protests against US diplomatic missions in the region.
