KINSHASA, Congo (AP) 鈥� army says it 鈥渇oiled a coup鈥� early Sunday morning and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, following a shootout between armed men in military uniform and guards of a close ally of Congo's that left three people dead in the capital, Kinshasa.
At first, local media identified the armed men as Congolese soldiers but then reported they were linked to self-exiled leader Christian Malanga who later posted a video on Facebook threatening President Felix Tshisekedi.
Tshisekedi was in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a revote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency. The Central African country has witnessed similar trends of disputed elections in the past.
Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge said on state television Sunday that the attempted was 鈥渘ipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control.鈥� He did not give further details.
This also came amid a crisis gripping Tshisekedi's ruling party over an election for the parliament鈥檚 leadership which was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed.
Clashes were reported Sunday between men in military uniform and guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, at his residence in Kinshasa, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located.
Kamerhe鈥檚 guards stopped the armed men, Michel Moto Muhima, the politician's spokesperson said on the X social media platform, adding that two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started around 4:30 a.m.
Footage, seemingly from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading deserted streets in the neighborhood as the army said the situation has been brought under control.
Meanwhile, the self-exiled Malanga appeared in the live-streamed video surrounded by several people in military uniform and said: 鈥淔elix, you鈥檙e out. We are coming for you.鈥�
On his website, the opposition leader's group 鈥� the United Congolese Party (UCP) 鈥� is described as 鈥渁 grassroots platform that unifies the Congolese Diaspora around the world opposing the current Congolese dictatorship.鈥�
hasn't so far addressed the public about Sunday's events.
On Friday, he met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis seizing his party, which dominates the national assembly. He said he would not 鈥渉esitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist.鈥�
The United States Embassy in Congo issued a security alert Sunday, urging caution after "reports of gunfire.鈥�
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Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Associated Press journalist Ruth Alonga in Goma, Congo, and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv contributed.
Christina Malkia And Chinedu Asadu, The Associated Press
