Feds accuse Americans of involvement in failed Congo coup

Federal prosecutors charged four American men with conspiring to support and commit an armed takeover in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. The DOJ alleges that the four launched a military operation in 2024 at the Palais de la Nation, which is the home and workplace of President Félix Tshisekedi. They also allegedly targeted the private home of Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Vital Kamerhe. At least six people died in the armed attack, including an innocent civilian, according to the DOJ.

Criminal complaints are merely allegations, and all defendants charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Thompson’s attorney, Skye Lazaro, on Wednesday told the Associated Press that she did not yet have any information to share.

Who are the accused men? Marcel Malanga, 22, Tyler Thompson, 22, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, and Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, now face charges for conspiring to obtain and use weapons of mass destruction during the armed attack and kidnap government officials, according to the criminal complaint. They were also charged with conspiring to bomb government buildings and conspiring to kill or kidnap people in a foreign country.

The Congolese government initially convicted Malanga, Thompson, and Zalman-Polun and sentenced them to be executed. The sentences were later commuted to life in prison. The men were extradited to the United States earlier this week.

How did the four allegedly participate in the plot? The men are accused of rallying behind rebel leader Christian Malanga, who aimed to establish a new government with him as president. Christian’s American son, Marcel Malanga, allegedly identified himself as the rebel army’s chief of staff while Polun allegedly identified himself as the rebel leader’s chief of staff. Moesser made and supplied explosives, while Thompson served as a drone specialist and operator, according to the DOJ. The group allegedly planned to use drones to bomb targeted areas and to build and deploy a drone with a flamethrower. The group also procured military firearms, ammunition, uniforms, and communication equipment from businesses and private sellers, and transported materials from the United States to Africa, according to the DOJ. 

If convicted in the United States, each man faces up to 15 years in prison for each count for conspiring to provide material support and resources to the rebel army. Each man facing charges for conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction, bombing government buildings, and kidnapping or killing people in a foreign country could receive life in prison.