Americans Sent Home After DR Congo Coup Sentencing

The U.S. has repatriated three Americans sentenced in connection with a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, and they will serve their remaining terms in the U.S., amid ongoing discussions between the two nations regarding mineral wealth investments.

The three Americans, Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin, convicted in a military court for their participation in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year, have been sent back to the United States to continue their jail terms domestically. Initially sentenced to death, their sentences were reduced to life imprisonment just last week. U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the repatriation, emphasizing the Americans are now "in our custody."

This transfer occurs as the U.S. and DR Congo engage in talks to harness the vast mineral resources of the central African nation. A senior adviser for Africa under President Donald Trump recently visited DR Congo, discussing potential investments which could amount to billions of dollars. The country is rich in essential minerals like coltan and cobalt—vital for electronic devices and electric vehicle batteries—largely extracted by Chinese companies.

On Tuesday, the trio was escorted to N'Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, ensuring the adherence to legal protocols was maintained throughout the process, according to a statement from the DR Congo presidency. The repatriation is described as part of ongoing judicial diplomacy and international cooperation efforts between the U.S. and DR Congo regarding justice and human rights matters.

Their original sentences were part of a larger group of 37 individuals convicted of various charges stemming from the violent events of May, when they were accused of leading armed assaults on the presidential palace and a supporter of President Félix Tshisekedi. While some, including a dual Congolese-Belgian citizen, have been transferred to other countries for health reasons, the fate of other convicts, including a British, Belgian, and Canadian national, remains uncertain.

Christian Malanga, considered the mastermind of the coup attempt, was killed during the attack, along with five companions. Although the U.S. State Department has acknowledged the repatriation process in coordination with the embassy in Kinshasa, experts indicate that any further leniency in the Americans' sentences is unlikely.

While the U.S. government has condemned the violent occurrences, they support DR Congo's efforts to bring those involved to justice, advocating for humane treatment and a fair judicial process. Additionally, reports suggest the Congolese government has committed to compensating for the damage caused during protests that targeted U.S. diplomatic missions earlier this year, though officials have not yet commented on this development.