In statements to the press, the spokesman said that four people died during the attempt, among them, Christian Malanga, leader of the assailants, a Congolese nationalized in the US.

Ekenge asserted that the attackers had sophisticated material, including drones, and affirmed that the security forces thwarted the attempt and got control of the situation.

This Sunday, men dressed in military uniforms attacked the residence of Vital Kamerhe, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, around 04:30 local time. The deputy and candidate for the position of president of the National Assembly, as well as his family, were unharmed in the incident and their security was reinforced.

Christian Malanga broadcast several videos on Facebook showing a group of armed men dressed in military clothes in the lobby and gardens of the Palace of the Nation.

A few hours after the attack, the Republican Guard detained a group of assailants dressed in uniforms with flags of the former Republic of Zaire.

African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemned the attempted coup in the DRC and communicated his satisfaction that all republican leaders and institutions were safe and intact. He also rejected changing the constitutional order by force in any African State.

The special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in the DRC, Bintou Keita, condemned the armed attack against figures and institutions of the country and offered her rejection,” in the strongest terms”, of the assault on the residence of Deputy Prime Minister Kamerhe and the Palace of the Nation, adding that she is “following the evolution of the situation very closely and is at the disposal of the Congolese authorities to provide any support within the framework of her mandate.”

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