The convicts had their death sentences changed to life imprisonment and were sent back as the US and DR Congo discuss economic partnerships concerning mineral resources.
**Americans Repatriated After DR Congo Coup Conviction**
**Americans Repatriated After DR Congo Coup Conviction**
Three convicted Americans involved in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been returned to the US to serve their sentences.
The three Americans, Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin, have been repatriated to the United States after being convicted in connection to a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year, which initially led to death sentences. Their sentences were recently commuted to life imprisonment, and they returned home in accordance with an agreement between the two nations.
In the wake of this transfer, US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the individuals are now "in our custody." This development coincides with ongoing negotiations between the US and DRC regarding the country’s extensive mineral resources, particularly coltan and cobalt, mining rights that are currently dominated by Chinese firms.
During a recent visit to DRC, a senior adviser for African affairs under President Donald Trump verified that discussions are in progress concerning potential multibillion-dollar investments. The American trio departed Kinshasa's N'Djili International Airport, following strict legal protocols as outlined by Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama.
The repatriation of these prisoners is considered a move towards fostering judicial diplomacy and enhancing international cooperation between the United States and DRC in matters of justice and human rights. Initially, 37 people were sentenced by a military court after they attempted an attack on the presidential palace and the residence of an ally of President Félix Tshisekedi last May.
Notably, the alleged ringleader of the coup, Christian Malanga, a US national of Congolese descent, was killed during this incident, along with five others. As for the remaining inmates, including a British, a Belgian, and a Canadian national, it remains uncertain whether they will have their sentences reduced similarly to the Americans.
Joseph Szlavik-Soto, a lobbyist for the Congolese government, also reported that DRC agreed to compensate damages for violent protests that targeted US diplomatic missions earlier this year. However, officials in the US have not yet commented on this agreement or the circumstances surrounding the prisoner transfer process.
For the latest updates and news from Africa, visit BBC Africa's outlets on social media and their dedicated website.
In the wake of this transfer, US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the individuals are now "in our custody." This development coincides with ongoing negotiations between the US and DRC regarding the country’s extensive mineral resources, particularly coltan and cobalt, mining rights that are currently dominated by Chinese firms.
During a recent visit to DRC, a senior adviser for African affairs under President Donald Trump verified that discussions are in progress concerning potential multibillion-dollar investments. The American trio departed Kinshasa's N'Djili International Airport, following strict legal protocols as outlined by Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama.
The repatriation of these prisoners is considered a move towards fostering judicial diplomacy and enhancing international cooperation between the United States and DRC in matters of justice and human rights. Initially, 37 people were sentenced by a military court after they attempted an attack on the presidential palace and the residence of an ally of President Félix Tshisekedi last May.
Notably, the alleged ringleader of the coup, Christian Malanga, a US national of Congolese descent, was killed during this incident, along with five others. As for the remaining inmates, including a British, a Belgian, and a Canadian national, it remains uncertain whether they will have their sentences reduced similarly to the Americans.
Joseph Szlavik-Soto, a lobbyist for the Congolese government, also reported that DRC agreed to compensate damages for violent protests that targeted US diplomatic missions earlier this year. However, officials in the US have not yet commented on this agreement or the circumstances surrounding the prisoner transfer process.
For the latest updates and news from Africa, visit BBC Africa's outlets on social media and their dedicated website.
