A new video has surfaced online showing Christian Malanga, the leader of the recent failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), allegedly holding a strategic meeting days before the incident.
The video, purportedly recorded just days before the Sunday coup attempt, depicts Malanga addressing a packed room in Lingala, outlining his plans and introducing individuals he claims are from the British parliament, the Vatican, Switzerland, and British businessmen.
In the video, Malanga speaks passionately about his vision for the DRC, asserting that those present would help bring employment opportunities to the country. His rhetoric focuses on a movement to restore Zaire, the former name of the DRC, highlighting a return to a previous national identity as a key part of his agenda.
The video was shared by Congolese independent journalist Daniel Michombero. It is not clear where the meeting was held.
Christian Malanga Musumari, born on February 2, 1983, in Kinshasa, was a former Congolese military officer who had been residing in the United States with his family. He was the president of the United Congolese Party (PCU), a political party he founded following his experiences during the 2011 parliamentary elections. In 2013, he was named the first ambassador of the International Roundtable on Religious Freedom. On May 17, 2017, Malanga established a government in exile in Brussels, marking the official birth of New Zaire.
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The failed coup attempt took place early Sunday morning, involving an armed attack on the Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa. The exchange of gunfire during the assault led to the deaths of two police officers and one attacker. Malanga, who had been out of the public eye for several years, was killed by the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) during the operation. His son, along with several other attackers, including individuals with U.S. and Canadian passports, were arrested.
READ ALSO: DETAILS: Congolese Army Foils Coup Attempt, Leader of Armed Gang Killed
The Congolese army spokesperson, Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, announced on public television that the FARDC had successfully foiled a coup d’état and reassured the public that the situation was under control. He urged the people of Kinshasa to resume their daily activities without fear.
In light of the video, the involvement of foreign nationals in the coup attempt raises questions about international links and support for Malanga’s movement. U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, has expressed shock and concern over reports of American citizens allegedly participating in the coup. She assured full cooperation with Congolese authorities in their investigation.
As the investigation continues, the video adds a new dimension to understanding the extent of Malanga’s network and the breadth of his plans for the DRC.
