Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo – The Congolese government has transferred into United States custody three US citizens who had been sentenced to death for participating in a failed coup attempt earlier this year, the US State Department confirmed Tuesday.
Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi recently commuted the death sentences of Marcel Malanga, Tyler Christian Thomson, and Zalman Pollum Benjamin to life imprisonment following their conviction by a military court on January 27th for involvement in the May 19th armed attack against the government.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the US government “strongly condemns the armed attacks of May 19th” and emphasized that Washington supports DRC authorities “in holding those responsible appropriately accountable.” The three men were officially transferred to US custody earlier this week.
This development occurs amid ongoing negotiations between the DRC and the United States over a significant minerals agreement, with both sides reportedly reaching consensus on a path forward, according to the Congolese presidency.
