Democratic Republic of Congo: The army announces foiled coup attempt

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army announced that it foiled a “coup attempt” at dawn on Sunday, in which “foreigners and Congolese nationals” participated, in which 3 people, two policemen and one of the attackers, were killed.

FAC spokesman General Sylvain Ekince said in a brief statement broadcast on state television that “defense and security forces foiled a coup attempt in the bud”.

So far DRC authorities arrested those involved in the coup attempt, which took place on Sunday morning.

Gunfire was heard in the capital, Kinshasa, where gunmen in military uniform clashed with guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal lawmaker and former deputy prime minister for the economy, in a neighborhood close to the presidential palace.

Vital Kamerhe was a candidate for speaker of Congo’s National Assembly in an election that was due to be held on Saturday but was postponed due to a rift within the ruling party.