A Congolese military court has sentenced three US citizens to death for their involvement in a coup attempt
A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has sentenced three US citizens to death for their involvement in a failed coup attempt in May 2024. The case was part of a larger trial in which a total of 37 people were found guilty of conspiring against the country’s government.
According to Reuters, an armed group of militants seized the presidential office in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, on May 19. The takeover did not last long as the country’s security forces quickly neutralized the attackers. The military court that heard the case found the attackers guilty of treason and terrorism. Although the death penalty is a common practice in Congo, actual executions are rare, as the country maintains a moratorium on the death penalty that was put in place many years ago.
Among the condemned were not only Congolese citizens, but also foreigners, which caused an international outcry. In particular, three US citizens became part of this process, which could cause diplomatic tension between the US and the DRC. The United States, which does not support the death penalty in cases of international law, may try to intervene through diplomatic channels, including by negotiating a possible commutation of the sentence or amnesty.
This failed coup became another challenge for the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, who is supported by international partners in his efforts to stabilize the situation in the country.
