Three Americans, initially sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo for attempting to overthrow the government, now face federal charges in the United States for their failed coup attempt aimed at establishing a new nation called “New Zaire.”
Key Insights
- Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were repatriated to the U.S. after their death sentences in Congo were commuted to life imprisonment.
- A fourth American, Joseph Peter Moesser, faces charges as an alleged explosives expert who supported the plot.
- The coup attempt, which resulted in six deaths, aimed to install Christian Malanga as president of “New Zaire.”
- The timing of their release coincides with Congo’s efforts to secure a minerals deal with the U.S. for security support.
- All four defendants face serious charges including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and to kill persons in a foreign country.
Failed Coup and American Involvement
The FBI investigation reveals that three Americans participated directly in an armed attempt to overthrow the Congolese government. Marcel Malanga, identified as the “Chief of Staff of the Zaire army,” Tyler Thompson Jr., a drone specialist, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, who was promised a position in the new administration, were all convicted in Congo before being transferred to U.S. custody. Their plot targeted DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe, with the goal of establishing a new government called “New Zaire” under the leadership of Christian Malanga, who died during the coup attempt.
According to court documents, the men engaged in extensive preparation for the coup. They recruited associates, acquired drones and weapons, and conducted firearms training before departing for Africa. Their activities in Congo included hijacking a bus and raiding a police station to obtain weapons. The operation resulted in six fatalities, including two police officers and one civilian, before the plotters were captured by Congolese authorities.
Weapons and Explosives Plans
The fourth defendant, Joseph Peter Moesser, was arrested in Utah and faces charges for his role as an explosives expert supporting the plot. Federal authorities allege that Moesser, who has a previous criminal record involving explosives, conspired to ship explosives and rifles to Congo. Thompson, who specialized in drone operations, reportedly planned to use drones with flamethrower attachments during the coup attempt. Witnesses observed Thompson and Malanga conducting drone tests and firearms training in the United States before they traveled to Africa to execute their plan.
“A criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday in the District of Utah charged four U.S. citizens with conspiring to unlawfully carry out a coup d’état in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).” – U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Justice Department has filed serious charges against all four men, including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, bomb government facilities, and kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. Prosecutors are seeking to keep the defendants in custody, arguing that they present both a significant danger to the community and a flight risk if released.
Political Connections and Motivations
Marcel Malanga’s involvement appears connected to his father, Christian Malanga, a self-proclaimed leader in exile who had a criminal history in the United States. Reports indicate that the elder Malanga threatened his son to follow orders and offered money to recruit others for the plot. Christian Malanga died during the coup attempt, but his son and the other Americans were captured. Court documents reveal that Zalman-Polun was specifically involved in recruiting soldiers and was promised a role in the new administration if the coup succeeded.
“The four defendants pose an extreme danger to the community and present an unmanageable risk of flight” – the Justice Department
The repatriation of the three Americans from Congo to face U.S. charges coincides with Congolese efforts to secure a minerals deal with the U.S. for security support, raising questions about potential diplomatic arrangements behind the transfer. The investigation was led by FBI Salt Lake City, with assistance from FBI New York and the Legal Attaché Office in Nairobi. The defendants are expected to appear in courts in Brooklyn and Salt Lake City to face the federal charges stemming from their alleged participation in the attempted overthrow of a foreign government.
Sources:
- Americans convicted in Congo of a botched coup attempt now face US charges
- Three Americans transferred from Congo to US, one arrested in Utah, charged with coup to overthrow government
- American men convicted of elaborate plot to overthrow Congo government charged by feds
