By Badylon Kawanda Bakiman
General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), claims to have nipped a coup attempt in the bud. Speaking on Radio Télévision Nationale du Congo (RTNC) on Sunday, May 19, 2024, the FARDC spokesman said that the assailants and their leader had been put out of action.
He took the opportunity to invite the people of Kinshasa to go about their business freely.
“The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo inform both national and international opinion that an attempted coup d’état has been nipped in the bud by the defense and security forces. The attempt involved foreigners and Congolese. These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader. The Armed Forces are asking the population to go about their business freely and quietly. The defense and security forces are in full control of the situation”, he declared.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, May 19, 2024, a heavily armed commando attacked the residence of the Honorable Vital Kamerhe Lwa Kanyiginyi, national deputy and president of the Union pour la Nation Congolaise (UNC), one of the DRC’s political parties. The attack, which took place at around 4 a.m., was aimed at physically eliminating Kamerhe, as stated in the UNC’s official press release.
According to the press release, “a commando not otherwise identified, heavily armed, attacked the residence of the Honorable Vital KAMERHE LWA KANYIGINYI.” The text denounces this “despicable attack which had as its objective the physical elimination of his National President”. Fortunately, Kamerhe and his family were saved thanks to the bravery of his close guard and the “mercy of God”.
US Ambassador expresses shock
The US Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, has reacted to the disturbing events of the night of May 18-19. She expressed shock and concern at reports implicating US citizens in the attacks on the residence of Vital Kamerhe, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, and the Palais de la Nation.
“I am shocked by this morning’s events and very concerned by reports of US citizens allegedly involved. Please be assured that we will cooperate with the DRC authorities to the fullest extent possible as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizens involved in criminal acts,” Lucy Tamlyn said in a statement.
