Christian Malanga, Congolese Politician and Military Officer, Dies in Failed Coup Attempt

Christian Malanga, a fringe Congolese politician, died in a failed coup attempt on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Malanga, 41, was the leader of the US-based United Congolese Party.

He and his US business partner, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, reportedly led a group of 20 armed men in an attempt to force entry into the Palais de la Nation, the residence of President Felix Tshisekedi’s government.

Malanga and Zalman-Polun were involved in mining and cannabis ventures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique.

Zalman-Polun, a cannabis entrepreneur from Maryland, was arrested along with Malanga’s 20-year-old son and several others.

During the coup attempt, Malanga and his group raided the home of Vital Kamerhe, the former president of the National Assembly of the DRC.

In the ensuing gunfire exchange, two guards and one attacker were killed. The armed men managed to access Tshisekedi’s office but were ultimately stopped.

Malanga broadcast the coup attempt on his Facebook page, calling for “a new Zaire” and displaying the flag of the Mobutu Sese Seko era.

The FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) quickly contained the situation, and spokesperson General Sylvain Ekenge urged the public to continue their daily activities.

President Tshisekedi, who recently won a contested second term, has been addressing increasing insecurity in the eastern DRC. This coup attempt marks the first in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region since Zimbabwe’s 2017 coup.

Malanga’s death and the failed coup highlight ongoing political tensions in the DRC, despite efforts to stabilize the region with international support.