DR Congo Overturns Death Sentences for Three Americans in Coup Plot

• Apr 02, 2025

Three Americans convicted for their involvement in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have had their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment, according to the country's presidency.

Clemency for the Convicted Americans

The three individuals were part of a group of 37 people sentenced to death by a military court in September last year. They were accused of leading an attack on the presidential palace and the home of a close ally of President Félix Tshisekedi on May 19. Despite denying the charges, they were convicted of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other offenses.

Their sentences were officially commuted on Tuesday when President Tshisekedi signed an order granting them “individual clemency.” His spokesperson, Tina Salama, announced the decision in a televised statement.

The three Americans—Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman Polun Benjamin—will now serve life sentences instead of facing execution.

Coup Attempt and Legal Proceedings

The attack in Kinshasa began in the early hours of May 19, with armed men, some dressed in army uniforms, storming the residence of parliamentary speaker Vital Kamerhe before attempting to enter the presidential palace. Security forces engaged in a gunfight with the assailants.

Among those involved was Christian Malanga, a US citizen of Congolese origin, who was suspected of leading the coup. He was killed during the attack, along with five others.

In total, 51 people were tried in a military court, with the proceedings broadcast on national television and radio. Fourteen individuals were acquitted after being found to have no connection to the plot.

Implications of the Decision

DR Congo has not carried out an execution for nearly two decades, despite its courts frequently issuing death sentences. Convicts who receive the penalty typically serve life in prison instead. However, in March this year, the government lifted its moratorium on executions, arguing that traitors within the military needed to be dealt with harshly.

The timing of the sentence commutation is significant, as it comes just days before a visit to DR Congo by Massad Boulos, the newly appointed US senior advisor for Africa. Boulos, the father-in-law of former US President Donald Trump’s daughter Tiffany, is scheduled to visit Kinshasa, as well as Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.

While the US has not officially declared the Americans to be wrongfully imprisoned, the State Department has previously confirmed discussions between the two governments about their situation.

What Happens Next?

It remains unclear whether the three Americans will be transferred to the US to serve their life sentences. There is also uncertainty about whether other foreign nationals convicted in the case—including individuals from Britain, Belgium, and Canada—will have their sentences reduced.

Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese dual citizen who was also sentenced to death, was transferred to Belgium earlier this year due to health concerns.

Ckiness Ciamba, one of the defense lawyers for Malanga, welcomed the commutation, saying it was “a first step that promises major changes in the future.”