On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Congo reported that Congolese authorities have not provided details or access to the Americans detained after last month’s coup attempt, despite urgent requests from families seeking to confirm their loved ones’ well-being.
Congo’s military identified three Americans implicated in the May 19th attack led by Christian Malanga, a relatively obscure opposition figure. The State Department emphasized that a key priority is offering consular assistance to detained Americans, including ensuring medical care and legal representation.
stated U.S. embassy spokesperson Greg Porter in an email to The Associated Press.
There was no immediate response from Congolese officials, who have remained silent on whether the Americans will face court proceedings. An army spokesman indicated that further information would be released in due course.
Christian Malanga, who previously declared himself Congo’s president in exile, live-streamed the coup attempt alongside his Utah-born son, Marcel Malanga, from within the presidential palace, issuing threats against President Felix Tshisekedi. The Congolese army reported that Christian Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest. The incident resulted in six deaths and numerous arrests.
Rebecca Higbee – handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The status of the detained Americans remains uncertain. Social media footage showed a bound and bloodied Marcel being taken into custody, alongside a second American, 21-year-old Tyler Thompson Jr., a former high school football teammate of Marcel. Thompson’s family initially believed he was on a vacation to Africa, funded by Malanga. Reports suggest Marcel had offered up to $100,000 to friends to join him on a “security job” in Congo. Thompson’s family expressed concern last week, unsure if he is still alive.
Thompson’s family insists he was unaware of Malanga’s political motives and had no intention of entering Congo. They were only supposed to visit South Africa and Eswatini, according to his stepmother, Miranda Thompson.
Marcel’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, has maintained her son’s innocence, stating he was merely following his father’s lead.
