By Abiola Olawale
There is palpable tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the army confirmed an attempted coup d’etat.
The army however confirmed that the attempted coup d’etat had been successfully repelled.
The DRC Army spokesperson, Sylvain Ekenge, made this disclosure while speaking in a televised address on the state-run media company, RTNC TV.
Ekenge said Congolese and foreign fighters were allegedly involved in the coup which was thwarted on Sunday morning.
He said: “An attempted coup d’etat has been put down by the defence and security forces. The attempt involved foreigners and Congolese. These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader.”
He further disclosed that several suspects have been detained and the “situation is now under control”.
The army spokesperson did not give further information about the incident.
This incident comes just a few hours after some armed men reportedly attacked the house of Vital Kamerhe, former chief of staff and close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC.
Kamerhe’s residence is about two kilometres from the presidential palace.
Michel Muhima, Kamerhe’s spokesperson, had said the gunmen reportedly clad in military uniform allegedly engaged the politician’s guards in a shootout, leaving three people dead.
Muhima said two of the deceased were police officers attached to Kamerhe while the other was one of the attackers.
The country has been experiencing civil unrest following a dispute in the ruling party over the postponement of an election for the leadership of the country’s national assembly.
President Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and party leaders on Friday in a bid to resolve the crisis.
