Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has commuted the death sentences of three Americans who were convicted on charges of participating in a botched coup attempt in the country’s capital, Kinshasa, last year. This decision, announced by Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama on Wednesday, reduces their sentences to life imprisonment. It comes more than six months after a military court sentenced the three and over 30 others to death for their involvement in the failed coup.
Background of the Coup Attempt
The coup attempt, which occurred last year, resulted in the deaths of six people. It was orchestrated by a relatively unknown opposition figure, Christian Malanga, who led an attack on the presidential palace in Kinshasa as well as the residence of a close ally of President Tshisekedi. The Congolese army reported that Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest, moments after live-streaming the attack on his social media platforms.
Among those convicted was Malanga’s 21-year-old son, Marcel Malanga, a U.S. citizen. Two other Americans—Tyler Thompson Jr., also 21, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36—were also sentenced in connection to the coup plot. Thompson, a high school friend of the younger Malanga, had reportedly flown to Africa from Utah under the impression that he was on a free vacation. Zalman-Polun, on the other hand, had connections to Christian Malanga through a gold mining business.
During court proceedings, Marcel Malanga testified that he and Thompson had been coerced into participating in the coup by his father.
“Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders,” he stated during the hearings.
Legal Proceedings and International Reactions
The trial involved a mix of Congolese and foreign defendants, including a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian. The charges leveled against them included attempted coup, terrorism, and criminal association. While more than 30 individuals were sentenced to death, 14 people were acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Congo’s decision to commute the death sentences aligns with growing international pressure to move away from capital punishment. Although the death penalty remains legal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), executions have not been carried out for two decades. Human rights organizations have called on the Congolese government to abolish the death penalty entirely, arguing that the judicial system must ensure fair trials and proportional sentencing.
The United States government has not publicly commented on the specific commutation of the three Americans’ sentences, but the move comes at a time when diplomatic ties between Washington and Kinshasa are under negotiation. The timing suggests that geopolitical considerations may have influenced the decision.
U.S.-Congo Relations and the Minerals Deal
The commutation of the sentences coincides with Congo’s efforts to secure a minerals deal with the United States in exchange for security assistance to combat rebel groups in the conflict-stricken eastern region of the country. The DRC is rich in valuable minerals such as cobalt, a key component in batteries used for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
The U.S. government has been seeking to reduce its reliance on Chinese-controlled mineral supply chains, making a deal with Congo strategically important. In return, Kinshasa hopes to receive military and logistical support to strengthen its fight against armed insurgents, particularly the M23 rebels, who have been responsible for widespread violence in eastern Congo.
Upcoming Diplomatic Engagements
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State announced that Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump’s newly appointed senior advisor for Africa, will visit Congo and three other African countries—Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda—starting April 3. Boulos’ visit is aimed at advancing efforts for sustainable peace in eastern Congo and promoting American private-sector investments in the region.
His mission reflects a broader U.S. strategy to strengthen partnerships in Africa, particularly in regions affected by conflict and resource exploitation. The U.S. government’s increased focus on Congo indicates a shift in foreign policy priorities, recognizing the central role that the country plays in global supply chains for critical minerals.
Broader Implications
The commutation of the death sentences may serve to de-escalate tensions between the U.S. and the DRC, reinforcing diplomatic relations at a critical juncture. However, the decision does not erase concerns about the coup attempt itself or the broader implications of foreign nationals becoming involved in political instability within the region.
Security experts suggest that the coup attempt exposed weaknesses in Kinshasa’s security framework, as attackers managed to breach highly protected areas before being subdued. The involvement of foreign nationals has also raised questions about external influences on Congolese politics and whether there were undisclosed backers of Malanga’s failed plot.
Furthermore, opposition groups within the DRC have expressed mixed reactions to the decision to commute the death sentences. While some view it as a necessary step to align with international human rights standards, others argue that it demonstrates leniency toward foreign nationals while Congolese citizens involved in the coup plot still face harsh sentences.
Looking Ahead
As diplomatic negotiations continue between the U.S. and Congo, the outcome of mineral agreements and security partnerships will likely shape the future of their bilateral relationship. The DRC remains a crucial player in global resource markets, and its internal stability is of strategic interest to major world powers.
For the three Americans whose sentences have been commuted, their fate now lies in the hands of future diplomatic efforts. Whether they will serve out their life sentences in Congo or be transferred to the U.S. remains uncertain. Their families, legal representatives, and human rights groups are expected to push for further negotiations that could see them repatriated.
In the broader context, the case underscores the delicate balance between justice, diplomacy, and economic interests in Africa. It also highlights the complex relationship between the Congolese government and Western powers, where legal decisions can sometimes intersect with high-stakes negotiations on natural resources and security cooperation.
As Congo moves forward with its transition and reforms, the international community will continue to watch how it navigates internal security threats, judicial processes, and its role in the global minerals trade. The handling of the failed coup attempt and its legal aftermath may set a precedent for how future political crises are managed in one of Africa’s most resource-rich but politically volatile nations.
Conclusion
President Tshisekedi’s decision to commute the death sentences of the three Americans reflects a strategic move influenced by both humanitarian concerns and geopolitical calculations. While it marks a positive step in Congo’s evolving judicial approach, it also raises questions about the broader implications for justice, security, and international diplomacy.
As negotiations between the U.S. and the DRC continue, the impact of this decision will likely extend beyond the individuals involved, shaping future diplomatic engagements and economic agreements. For now, the commutation offers a reprieve from execution, but the long-term fate of those convicted remains uncertain amid ongoing discussions between Kinshasa and Washington.
