Three Americans jailed over failed DR Congo coup returned home

Three Americans who were involved in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo have returned to the United States to serve the remainder of their prison sentences. Initially, these men were sentenced to death by a military court, but their sentences were later changed to life imprisonment. The three individuals, identified as Tyler Thompson, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, and Marcel Malanga, were escorted to N'Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they boarded a flight back to the U. S. This repatriation was confirmed by Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the U. S. Department of State, who stated that the three men were now 'in our custody. ' This transfer comes at a time when the U. S. and the Democratic Republic of Congo are exploring potential collaborations, particularly in the area of mineral resources. The Democratic Republic of Congo is rich in valuable minerals such as coltan and cobalt, which are essential for the production of electronic devices and batteries for electric vehicles. Currently, many of these resources are being extracted by Chinese mining companies. The U. S. has shown interest in investing in these minerals, and discussions have been ongoing between U. S. officials and the Congolese government. The three Americans left the Democratic Republic of Congo on a Tuesday, and their transfer was conducted in strict compliance with legal procedures, as stated by Tina Salama, the spokesperson for the Congolese presidency. This transfer is seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen judicial diplomacy and international cooperation in matters of justice and human rights between the two nations. The three Americans were part of a larger group of 37 individuals who were implicated in the coup attempt. They were accused of leading an attack on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of President Félix Tshisekedi in May of the previous year. Following their trial, they were convicted of serious charges, including criminal conspiracy and terrorism, which they have denied. The alleged leader of the coup plot, Christian Malanga, who was a U. S. citizen of Congolese descent, was killed during the attack, along with five other individuals. Marcel Malanga Malu, the son of Christian Malanga, is among the three Americans who have now returned to the U. S. There are other individuals involved in the coup, including a British citizen, a Belgian, and a Canadian national, but it remains unclear whether their sentences will also be commuted. One of the other convicts, Jean-Jacques Wondo, who holds dual Congolese and Belgian citizenship, was transferred to Belgium earlier this year due to health issues. The details surrounding the prisoner transfer agreement have not been fully disclosed, but the U. S. State Department has acknowledged the repatriation, which was carried out in collaboration with the U. S. embassy in Kinshasa. Legal experts have expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the U. S. releasing the three men or reducing their sentences. The State Department has condemned the armed attacks and emphasized the importance of holding the convicts accountable for their actions while also advocating for 'consistent, compassionate, humane treatment and a fair legal process. ' Additionally, Joseph Szlavik-Soto, a lobbyist for the Congolese government, revealed that the government has agreed to compensate for damages caused by protests that targeted the U. S. embassy and other diplomatic missions earlier this year. As of now, U. S. officials have not provided any further comments on this matter. The three Americans are back in their home country, but their future remains uncertain as they continue to serve their sentences.