Three Americans, originally sentenced to death by a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo for their involvement in a failed coup, have been repatriated to the United States to serve life imprisonment sentences. Their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment last week.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed the repatriation, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce stating, "The three were in our custody." The individuals, identified as Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin, left Kinshasa on Tuesday following the legal procedures as outlined by the Congolese government.
Congolese presidential spokesperson Tina Salama emphasized that the transfer was part of efforts to strengthen judicial diplomacy and international cooperation on justice and human rights between the U.S. and DR Congo.
The three Americans were among 37 people sentenced to death in connection with an attempted attack on the presidential palace and the home of an ally to President Félix Tshisekedi in May 2023. They were convicted of charges including terrorism and criminal conspiracy, all of which they denied. The U.S. citizens involved were reportedly working with Christian Malanga, the alleged ringleader of the coup attempt, who was killed during the assault along with five others.
While the exact details of the prisoner transfer remain unclear, the U.S. State Department said the repatriation was coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. Legal experts suggest that the prisoners are unlikely to see their sentences reduced, despite the repatriation.
"The United States condemned the armed attacks and supported the Congolese government’s efforts to hold perpetrators accountable," Bruce remarked, stressing that Washington also emphasized the importance of humane treatment and a fair legal process for those involved.
Other foreign nationals involved in the coup attempt, including citizens from the UK, Belgium, Canada, and a Congolese-Belgian dual national, remain in custody in the DR Congo. One of them, Jean-Jacques Wondo, was transferred to Belgium earlier this year due to health issues.
The repatriation takes place amidst growing U.S. interest in DR Congo’s mineral sector, which holds vast reserves of cobalt and coltan—vital resources for electronics and electric vehicle batteries. Last week, a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump visited Kinshasa to discuss ongoing multibillion-dollar investment talks in the region, which are currently dominated by Chinese firms.
