The Democratic Republic of Congo repatriated three American citizens who were sentenced to death over a failed coup attempt, marking a significant diplomatic moment amid ongoing unrest in the region.
Congo Returns Three Americans Sentenced in Coup Attempt
Congo Returns Three Americans Sentenced in Coup Attempt
Three Americans involved in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo return home after their death sentences are commuted.
In a recent development on April 9, 2025, three American citizens, Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, were repatriated to the United States after their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by the Congolese government. These men were part of a group of 37 individuals who faced severe penalties for their involvement in a violent coup attempt last May, which included an armed confrontation near the presidential palace in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a spokeswoman for the Congolese presidency, these three men were granted clemency, allowing them to be returned home. Photographs shared by the presidency showed the trio boarding a plane headed for the United States as part of their transfer, confirmed by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a press briefing. However, the Justice Department has remained silent on the specifics regarding how their sentences will be managed once they arrive in the U.S.
This development comes on the heels of a high-level American delegation's visit to Congo, where discussions included the U.S. potentially engaging in arrangements regarding Congo’s rich mineral resources amid ongoing conflict with armed groups in the eastern regions of the nation. As the Congolese government grapples with the M23 rebellion, which is reportedly backed by Rwanda, President Felix Tshisekedi has expressed interest in U.S. collaboration.
Massad Boulos, an adviser to President Trump, indicated during his Congo visit that negotiations about mineral resources would proceed, but specifics were not disclosed. The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to critical mineral reserves essential for renewable energy, a sector where China currently has a dominant position.
The coup attempt itself was marked by chaos, including the death of the ringleader, a minor opposition politician who streamed the attack live. Malanga, who insists he was coerced into participating during a visit to his father, was joined by Thompson, a long-time friend. Zalman-Polun, who is also linked to the coup leader, faced similar charges. As this story unfolds, it remains to be seen how their situation will evolve in the United States.
According to a spokeswoman for the Congolese presidency, these three men were granted clemency, allowing them to be returned home. Photographs shared by the presidency showed the trio boarding a plane headed for the United States as part of their transfer, confirmed by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a press briefing. However, the Justice Department has remained silent on the specifics regarding how their sentences will be managed once they arrive in the U.S.
This development comes on the heels of a high-level American delegation's visit to Congo, where discussions included the U.S. potentially engaging in arrangements regarding Congo’s rich mineral resources amid ongoing conflict with armed groups in the eastern regions of the nation. As the Congolese government grapples with the M23 rebellion, which is reportedly backed by Rwanda, President Felix Tshisekedi has expressed interest in U.S. collaboration.
Massad Boulos, an adviser to President Trump, indicated during his Congo visit that negotiations about mineral resources would proceed, but specifics were not disclosed. The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to critical mineral reserves essential for renewable energy, a sector where China currently has a dominant position.
The coup attempt itself was marked by chaos, including the death of the ringleader, a minor opposition politician who streamed the attack live. Malanga, who insists he was coerced into participating during a visit to his father, was joined by Thompson, a long-time friend. Zalman-Polun, who is also linked to the coup leader, faced similar charges. As this story unfolds, it remains to be seen how their situation will evolve in the United States.
