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The State Department says one of its highest priorities is providing consular assistance to Americans detained abroad, including regular visits to ensure medical care and assisting with finding an English-speaking lawyer
The U.S. Embassy in Congo said that Congolese authorities have not shared details or provided access to the Americans who were arrested following a coup attempt last month. Reports indicated that three American citizens were involved in the coup attempt. However, their family members back in the US claimed that the arrested persons were on a tour to DRC and were not involved in the coup.
Congo’s army has released the names of three Americans accused of having a role in the attack led by little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga on May 19. The State Department says one of its highest priorities is providing consular assistance to Americans detained abroad, including regular visits to ensure medical care and assisting with finding an English-speaking lawyer.
Congolese authorities declined to say whether the Americans will appear in court. However, they said that more details would be revealed in due course.
Little-known Malnga who in the past declared himself Congo’s president in exile, live-streamed the attempt to overthrow the government with his Utah-born son, Marcel Malanga. He seemed to have threatened President Felix Tshisekedi from inside the presidential palace. Malanga was shot dead for resisting arrest, the Congolese army said. In all, six people were killed and dozens arrested.
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The fate of the Americans is unclear. A video on social media showed a bloodied Marcel was taken into custody, along with a second American, 21-year-old Tyler Thompson Jr. Both had played high school football together. Thompson flew to Africa with Marcel for what his family believed was a vacation, with all expenses paid by Malanga. Other teammates alleged that Marcel had offered up to US$100,000 to join him on a “security job” in Congo.
