Three Americans convicted of being part of a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been repatriated to the United States, marking a significant development in bilateral relations and judicial cooperation.
Three Americans convicted of being part of a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been repatriated to the United States, the country’s presidency announced on Tuesday.
The three individuals, aged between 23 and 36, had previously been sentenced to death but had their sentences commuted to life in prison. The DRC’s presidency stated that the repatriation is part of a dynamic of strengthening judicial diplomacy and international cooperation in matters of justice and human rights between Kinshasa and Washington.
The three Americans involved in the failed coup attempt were among 37 people sentenced to death by a military court in DR Congo in September over their involvement in the foiled coup. The group, led by Christian Malanga, who was killed by security forces, attacked the home of then-economy minister Vital Kamerhe and continued to a building where the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi are located.
The State Department confirmed that it was aware of the three’s transfer to US custody, while international law experts questioned the shortening of their sentences by the US. The repatriation follows high-level talks between the countries over security and mineral deals, with the US administration open to critical mineral partnerships.
Negotiations on minerals deal
The DRC’s mineral wealth is estimated to be in the trillions of dollars, with much of it still untapped. The country’s minerals are currently largely extracted by Chinese mining companies. The US has expressed interest in securing greater access to the African country’s minerals, which are used in mobile phones and electric cars.
However, the violence between Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the Congolese army has been escalating in the eastern part of the country. While the DRC wants the US to play a bigger role in its security, Washington is focused on securing greater access to the country’s minerals.
