By Patrice Katuma
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has commuted the death sentences of three American citizens convicted of participating in a failed coup attempt earlier this year to life imprisonment. The move comes just days before a scheduled visit by high-level US government officials to the central African nation.
Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun were among 37 individuals sentenced to death by a military court in September for their involvement in the May 2024 attempt to overthrow the DRC government. The coup was led by Christian Malanga, Marcel Malanga’s father, who was subsequently killed in a gun battle with presidential guards. The putschists had targeted the presidential palace and the residence of Congolese politician Vital Kamerhe.
The clemency was granted via a presidential order read on national television Tuesday evening, according to presidential spokesperson Tina Salama. Speaking to CNN, Salama stated, “The clemency petition was filed by the public prosecutor, and it was on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice.” Africa News Today has reached out to Justice Minister Constant Mutamba for comment.
Despite the timing, Salama denied any connection between the clemency decision and the upcoming visit from US officials. The DRC has reportedly sought a minerals-for-security partnership with the United States. “We have no deal with the Americans at this stage on any American intervention,” Salama stated, amidst ongoing conflict in the resource-rich eastern region of the country between government forces and a Rwanda-backed rebel group.
The US State Department confirmed awareness of the DRC’s announcement regarding the commutation of the sentences. “Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The scheduled visit by new US Senior Adviser for Africa Massad Boulos and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders, set to begin Thursday, aims to “advance efforts for durable peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and to promote US private sector investment in the region,” according to the State Department. The officials are also scheduled to visit neighboring Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.
The commutation of the Americans’ death sentences could potentially ease tensions between the DRC and the United States, paving the way for more productive discussions during the upcoming diplomatic visit. The US has historically been opposed to the death penalty. However, the DRC government maintains that the decision was based on legal recommendations and not influenced by external pressures.
