Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Failed coup attempt is a wake-up call

According to a report by Reuters on 21 May 2024, security forces in DRC managed to thwart a coup attempt on 19 May in which a body of armed men targeted the homes of top officials (including those of the prime minister and defence minister) and briefly occupied the office of the presidency in Kinshasa. The leader of the coup, a US-based Congolese opponent of the government, Christian Malanga, was killed along with at least three others, and around 40 individuals were arrested, including three US citizens. Videos shared online show the assailants hoisting the flag of Zaire, Congo's former name, and making proclamations against President Tshisekedi.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch on 27 May 2024, there may have been extrajudicial killings of coup participants by the security forces. The failed coup raises concerns about the security arrangements in the capital, especially as the incident occurred during a period of political instability and conflict in eastern Congo. President Tshisekedi, re-elected amid disputed elections in December 2023, has struggled to form a government due to internal rivalries.

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “The crisis in the DRC is multifaceted. The eastern part of the country is largely outside the effective control of the government. Reports from the UN and the US government indicate that countries like Rwanda are increasingly involved in DRC's affairs. This latest coup attempt is not something that came out of the blue; it signals that the country is struggling to defend and control its territory, even in the capital city. This coup attempt also serves as a wake-up call for Christians, especially those who have suffered at the hands of rebel groups. The government is weak and opposition groups, including radical Islamic groups like ADF, are likely to become bolder.”