The army in Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed it has quashed an attempted coup against President Felix Tshikedi’s government in Kinshasa, East Africa.
DR Congo army spokesperson Brig Gen Sylavin Ekenge said on the state-run broadcaster RTNC TV that several suspects involving Congolese and foreign fighters have been detained and the “situation is now under control”.
Sylavin’s statement comes hours after armed men attacked the house of Vital Kamerhe, the former chief of staff and close ally to President Tshisekedi early on Sunday morning.
Reports indicate that a group of about 20 assailants in army uniform attacked the residence and an exchange of gunfire followed.
Two guards and an assailant were killed in the attack on Mr Kamerhe’s house, his spokesman and the Japanese ambassador said in posts on X.
The men also occupied the Palais de la Nation, the office of the President of the Republic which is located in the city centre, a place highly secured by the Republican Guard.
President Tshisekedi has not made any public comment on the situation so far.
Local media reports said the assailants were members of the New Zaire Movement linked to formerly-exiled politician Christian Malanga.
President Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term in the disputed elections last year in December. He won about 78% of the vote.
Congo is a country with vast mineral wealth and a huge population, but despite this life has not improved for most people, with conflict, corruption and poor governance persisting.
The eastern parts of the country has for many years been engrossed in insecurity with more than 100 armed groups roaming in it’s jungles.