Three Americans convicted in DR Congo coup plot transferred to US custody
Initially sentenced to death by a military tribunal, their punishments were reduced to life imprisonment just last week. According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the individuals are now under U.S. custody.
Three American nationals found guilty of participating in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year have been transferred to the United States to serve the remainder of their prison sentences.
Initially sentenced to death by a military tribunal, their punishments were reduced to life imprisonment just last week. According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the individuals are now under U.S. custody.
This development comes amid ongoing discussions between the United States and the DRC over potential partnerships to harness the country’s significant mineral resources. During a recent visit, President Trump’s top adviser on African affairs confirmed that the two nations are in talks that could lead to major investments, particularly in the mineral sector.
The DRC is home to vast reserves of critical minerals like coltan and cobalt, essential for electronics and electric vehicle batteries. These resources are currently dominated by Chinese mining firms.
The three Americans—Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin—were flown out of Kinshasa on Tuesday, according to DRC presidential spokesperson Tina Salama. Their departure from N'Djili International Airport followed all legal protocols, officials noted.
Congolese authorities stated that the move reflects a broader effort to strengthen international judicial cooperation and uphold human rights.
The trio was part of a group of 37 people who were handed death sentences in September after being accused of attacking the presidential palace and a key ally’s residence in May. They faced charges including terrorism and conspiracy, which they denied.
Among the group was Jean-Jacques Wondo, a dual citizen of Belgium and the DRC, who was sent to Belgium earlier this year for medical reasons. The status of other foreign nationals involved in the case—including citizens of the UK, Belgium, and Canada—remains uncertain.
The man believed to have led the attempted coup, Christian Malanga, a U.S. citizen with Congolese roots, was killed during the operation. His son, Marcel Malanga Malu, is one of the individuals recently transferred.
While the full terms of the prisoner transfer are not publicly known, the U.S. State Department acknowledged its coordination with the U.S. embassy in Kinshasa. Legal analysts suggest that the U.S. is unlikely to release or reduce the sentences of the repatriated individuals.
The State Department reaffirmed its condemnation of the violent attacks, supporting DRC’s pursuit of justice, while also emphasizing the importance of humane treatment and due process for the prisoners.
In a related matter, Joseph Szlavik-Soto, a lobbyist representing the Congolese government, revealed that DRC agreed to compensate for damages caused during demonstrations at the U.S. embassy earlier this year. U.S. officials have not yet responded to this claim.
