A fringe Congolese politician and his United States business partner in mining and cannabis ventures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique apparently led a foiled coup in the early hours of Sunday.
Christian Malanga, 41, leader of the US-based United Congolese Party, was killed as his band of 20 armed men reportedly tried to force entry into the Palais de la Nation, the complex that is home to President Felix Tshisekedi's government.
Malanga's right-hand man was Benjamin Zalman-Polun from Maryland (US) identified in earlier reports as an American cannabis entrepreneur.
Both Malanga and Zalman-Polun were partners in mining ventures and the fast-growing electronic cigarette liquids sector.
― omar little, Sunday, 19 May 2024 17:48 (one month ago) link
Finally some good news
― reggae mike love (polyphonic), Sunday, 19 May 2024 17:52 (one month ago) link
It just keeps getting better!
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 19 May 2024 18:13 (one month ago) link
This makes me wonder suddenly who runs The Wagner Group now. I'm assuming it wasn't disbanded, and they've been active in DRC.
― paisley got boring (Eazy), Sunday, 19 May 2024 18:27 (one month ago) link
Family of American caught up in Congo failed coup says their son went to Africa on vacation
https://apnews.com/article/congo-coup-failed-attack-american-9913014d6110cab9fc994770291cd10b
This story just keeps getting weirder.
I'm sure Congo has many beautiful areas and a rich culture but but as an American, you don't just "take a vacation" to the Congo. DRC has a level 3 travel advisory from the state department (level 4 is DO NOT TRAVEL), when you apply for a visa you are briefed in all the risks you are taking in such an unstable region. What an odd selection of goons if that's what they indeed were hired for.
― Mrs. Ippei (Steve Shasta), Friday, 24 May 2024 05:56 (three weeks ago) link