Reports have confirmed the death of Christian Malanga, the leader of the failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Around 4 am, gunfire erupted in Kinshasa as assailants targeted the presidency in the city center, allegedly orchestrated by Malanga.
The deceased had previously streamed a live video on Facebook from inside the presidential palace, threatening President Félix Tshisekedi.
Christian Malanga Musumari, aged 41, a Congolese from the diaspora and former U.S. resident, ran for election as an opposition member in the DRC’s 2011 legislative elections.
In addition to Malanga’s death, approximately 50 people, including three Americans linked to the coup, have been arrested.
The attack not only targeted President Tshisekedi but also Vital Kamerhe, a prominent parliamentarian expected to be the next Speaker. During the assault, two guards and one assailant were reported dead.
The impact of the assault extended beyond the DRC, as a shell fired from Kinshasa reportedly landed in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, causing injuries.
