Three U.S. citizens were sentenced to death by a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday, following their involvement in a failed coup attempt in May. The court handed down death sentences to 37 defendants in total, who were found guilty of charges related to criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and a plot to overthrow the government of President Félix Tshisekedi. The trial, which included individuals from several countries, was broadcast live on national television, bringing global attention to the case.
The Failed Coup Attempt
The coup attempt took place on May 19, 2024, when armed men briefly occupied a presidential office in Kinshasa, the capital city of the DRC. The group was led by Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese politician who had been critical of President Tshisekedi’s administration. The insurgents, including Malanga, were quickly overpowered by security forces, and Malanga was killed during the operation.
The military court’s proceedings have drawn widespread attention due to the involvement of foreign nationals, including Americans, British, Canadians, and Belgians. The three U.S. citizens sentenced to death—Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun—were closely linked to Christian Malanga. Marcel, the son of the coup leader, had traveled to Congo at the behest of his father, while Thompson, a former high school football player from Utah, was a close friend of Marcel. Zalman-Polun, the third American, was a business associate of Christian Malanga.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
The sentencing of the defendants took place in the yard of Ndolo military prison, located on the outskirts of Kinshasa. Under a large tent, the court convened with the defendants seated in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison uniforms. In a dramatic moment, the judge read out the guilty verdicts and death sentences for the 37 individuals. The military court found all defendants guilty of plotting to destabilize the Congolese government and carry out acts of terrorism.
The trial had included testimony from the American defendants. Marcel Malanga revealed to the court that his father had threatened to kill him if he did not participate in the coup. He further stated that it was his first time visiting Congo, as he had been estranged from his father for several years. Despite these claims, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him, along with Thompson and Zalman-Polun, for their roles in the failed coup.
International Reactions and Legal Concerns
The sentencing of the American citizens to death has raised significant concerns in the international community, especially given the DRC’s fraught legal system and human rights record. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other advocacy groups have raised alarm over the fairness of the trials and the severity of the sentences.
U.S. officials have not yet commented publicly on the sentencing, but there is likely to be diplomatic engagement as the families of the sentenced Americans seek to appeal the ruling. The use of the death penalty in the DRC, though technically legal, is rarely carried out, as the country has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions for years. However, the sentencing itself remains a grim reminder of the harsh penalties imposed on those found guilty of political crimes.
The case has also drawn attention to the political situation in the DRC, where tensions have escalated in recent years due to President Tshisekedi’s administration facing numerous challenges, including unrest in the east, armed rebel groups, and accusations of human rights abuses. The coup attempt in May, though short-lived, underscored the fragility of the political landscape in the country.
What’s Next?
While the death sentences have been handed down, the legal battle for the three Americans and the other convicted individuals is likely far from over. Appeals could delay the final execution of sentences, and international pressure may play a role in influencing the outcome of the case. However, for now, the military court’s ruling stands, casting a long shadow over the lives of those involved and the future of political stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The international community will closely watch how this situation develops, with possible diplomatic interventions looming, especially as calls for a more transparent and fair legal process grow louder.
