By Henry Mulindwa
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three U.S. citizens repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week have been formally charged in connection with a failed coup attempt that aimed to overthrow the Congolese government in 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday. A fourth American, described by prosecutors as an explosives expert, was also indicted for providing tactical support to the plotters.
The charges stem from an international investigation into a brazen attempt to seize power in Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital, during which one of the alleged masterminds—Christian Malanga—was killed. The conspiracy, according to prosecutors, was aimed at installing a shadow government called New Zaire, with Malanga at its helm as president.
The defendants — Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., Benjamin Zalman-Polun, and Joseph Peter Moesser — now face multiple federal charges including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb government facilities, and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country.
From Death Sentences in Congo to American Courtrooms
Three of the men — Malanga, Thompson, and Zalman-Polun — had previously been arrested in Congo following the failed coup and sentenced to death. Their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment. This week, they were handed over to U.S. authorities as part of a larger diplomatic arrangement, reportedly tied to ongoing negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa over mineral access and regional security support.
Their transfer to U.S. custody concluded months of backchannel negotiations between Congolese and American officials. On Tuesday, the trio was repatriated to the United States and is scheduled to appear in court in Brooklyn. Moesser, the 67-year-old explosives trainer, is expected in a Utah courtroom on Thursday.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court, the plot was intended to spark regime change in Congo. The group allegedly conspired to arm and train a rebel force, provide explosives, and storm the presidential palace in Kinshasa in a bid to topple the sitting government.
The Malanga Legacy: From Exile to Insurrection
At the center of the plot was Christian Malanga, a Congolese-born opposition figure who had lived in the United States since the 1990s. The DOJ said Malanga self-styled himself as the exiled leader of New Zaire — an imagined alternative state — and led the attempted coup from within the presidential palace before being killed by Congolese security forces.
Malanga had a controversial history. Convicted in Utah in 2001 for assault with a firearm and previously facing multiple charges that were later dismissed, he led a complex life that bridged American suburbia with African revolutionary ambition. Before his political ambitions took a militant turn, he reportedly sold used cars and pursued gold mining ventures in Africa.
His 22-year-old son, Marcel Malanga, born and raised in the United States, allegedly took on the role of “Chief of Staff of the Zaire Army,” coordinating logistics and personnel in preparation for the coup. Court documents state that Marcel played a leadership role in the conspiracy, helping recruit and train participants, and securing equipment.
Explosives Training in Utah Suburb
The fourth defendant, Joseph Peter Moesser, stands accused of providing explosives training and instruction from his home in Utah. Prosecutors say Moesser, a former military contractor, played a critical behind-the-scenes role, offering tactical support, contributing weapons, and helping the group acquire materials needed to execute the plan.
While legal representation for Thompson has been identified, attorneys for the other three defendants were not listed in court filings as of Wednesday.
Thompson’s lawyer, Skye Lazaro, told reporters she did not yet have substantive information to share regarding her client’s defense.
The Justice Department, meanwhile, emphasized the seriousness of the charges, which collectively could lead to lengthy prison sentences should the men be convicted.
“These individuals allegedly sought to destabilize a sovereign nation through violent means,” a DOJ spokesperson said. “Such conspiracies not only endanger foreign populations but also violate U.S. laws and international norms.”
Mineral Diplomacy and Quiet Negotiations
Sources familiar with the repatriation process said the handover of the three Americans coincided with Congolese interest in strengthening security ties with the U.S., especially in light of ongoing instability in the eastern regions of the country. The DRC is also negotiating access and investment deals with Western powers for its vast reserves of cobalt, copper, and other rare minerals critical to clean energy technologies.
Although the DOJ has not commented on any diplomatic quid pro quo, analysts say the men’s transfer reflects evolving geopolitical interests in Central Africa, where American and Chinese influence continues to compete.
“The timing is significant,” said Dr. Angela Kayiwa, a Central Africa political analyst based in Nairobi. “The repatriation could be part of broader talks on resource cooperation, counterterrorism support, and mutual legal agreements.”
Awaiting Indictment
The four defendants are currently charged via criminal complaint, but the DOJ indicated that a grand jury will soon consider a formal indictment. If indicted, the charges will be upgraded and the case will proceed to trial in federal court.
If convicted, the men face decades behind bars, particularly due to the severity of the weapons and terrorism-related charges. U.S. law prohibits citizens from conspiring to overthrow foreign governments or providing support for such efforts, especially when they involve weapons of mass destruction or attempts to assassinate or kidnap foreign leaders.
The Department of State has not commented publicly on the case, and the White House has not responded to questions about whether senior officials were involved in the repatriation negotiations.
A Plot with Global Implications
While the plot may have failed, its implications are far-reaching. The case raises critical questions about the role of U.S.-based actors in foreign conflicts, the risk of American soil being used to incubate insurrectionist activities abroad, and the diplomatic consequences of citizens engaging in paramilitary operations overseas.
As court proceedings begin, both the American and Congolese governments will likely face scrutiny over how the plot developed, how it was foiled, and what comes next for the four accused conspirators.
