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Kinshasa residents grappled with unanswered questions on Monday following a failed coup attempt the previous day. The audacious plot, involving a group with alleged American and British involvement, targeted key government sites in the capital.
The drama unfolded early Sunday morning outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe. Reports suggest the attackers, brandishing flags of the former dictatorship, then proceeded towards the presidential palace. Gunshots echoed near the building, raising concerns about security lapses.
While the army swiftly declared they had thwarted the coup, skepticism lingered among citizens. “This is a distraction from real problems,” said Joel, a civil servant, echoing a common sentiment. Many doubted attackers could infiltrate such sensitive areas undetected.
Adding to the confusion, the attackers reportedly struggled to locate targets, including the homes of Prime Minister Suminwa and Defense Minister Bemba. They eventually ended up at Kamerhe’s residence and the presidential palace.
Residents, weary of hardship and distrustful of official pronouncements, expressed frustration. “Politicians, stop distracting us!” exclaimed Maman Ndosi, a street vendor.
Authorities identified Christian Malanga, a naturalized American, as the ringleader. He was killed during the operation. A British national was also reportedly apprehended alongside several others of various nationalities. The motives behind the plot remain unclear.
The government condemned the attempted coup, while the US embassy pledged cooperation with investigations. The African Union also expressed strong condemnation of the incident.
This event comes just months after President Tshisekedi’s controversial re-election and amidst ongoing struggles with poverty and violence in the east. The yet-to-be-formed government faces the challenge of restoring public trust after this security breach.
11 Die in Tanzanian Sugar Factory Explosion
A horrific explosion ripped through a sugar factory in Tanzania’s eastern district of Mvomero early Thursday morning, leaving 11 dead and two injured.
The blast, which occurred around 1:00 am local time, is believed to have been caused by a burst heavy-duty steam pipe as workers were initiating production for the night shift, according to fire and rescue officials.
Authorities confirmed that the deceased included not only Tanzanian nationals, but also citizens from Brazil, India, China, and Kenya. Alex Mkama, the regional police commander, revealed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
The factory, operated by Mtibwa Sugar Estates Limited, is one of Tanzania’s leading sugar producers. All those killed were electrical and machine staff stationed in the control room at the time of the explosion, Mkama added.
Following the devastating event, Mtibwa Sugar Company has halted all production activities at the factory. The bodies of the deceased workers have been transported to the factory hospital’s mortuary.
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