Three Americans accused of participating in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year had their death sentences converted to life imprisonment, the country’s presidency announced. They were among 37 individuals sentenced to death by a military court in September, 2022. The three Americans were accused of leading attacks on the presidential palace and the home of a close ally of President Félix Tshisekedi in May, 2022. The court additionally accused them of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges, all of which they denied.

The alleged leader of the coup, Christian Malanga, a US national of Congolese origin, was killed during the attack, alongside five others. A total of 51 individuals were tried in a military court, with 14 being acquitted.

DR Congo has maintained a moratorium on death sentences for nearly twenty years, typically commuting such sentences to life imprisonment. Despite lifting this ban in March, citing the need to root out “traitors” from the dysfunctional military, no executions have taken place.

Boulos, who is the father-in-law to President Donald Trump’s daughter, Tiffany, is slated to arrive in Kinshasa, DRC, on Thursday, as part of a trip that will also include Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. Boulos is the newly appointed US senior advisor for Africa. The US has not declared the three Americans to be wrongfully imprisoned; however, there have been discussions between the countries on the matter. It’s unclear if the Americans could be deported to complete their sentences. Additionally, the fate of other convicted foreigners, including a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian, remains uncertain.

The attempted coup took place in the early hours of May 19, when a group of armed men, disguised in army uniforms, attacked the home of parliamentary speaker Vital Kamerhe and the president’s official residence. The exchange of gunfire followed, resulting in a failed coup attempt.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx1vdqrvl2o