Congo President Commuted Death Sentences of 3 Americans

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has commuted the death sentences of three Americans convicted on charges of participating in a coup attempt last year, officials announced Wednesday. Marcel Malanga, 21, Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, now face life imprisonment following an order by President Tshisekedi, as reported by the Associated Press, citing a presidential spokesperson. This pardon comes amid Congolese authorities' efforts to secure a minerals deal with the United States in exchange for security support aimed at combating rebels in the country's conflict-ridden eastern region.

Congo commutes 3 Americans' death sentences

The decision to commute the death sentences has sparked controversy, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the coup attempt. Six people were killed during the botched coup in May 2024, led by opposition figure Christian Malanga, who targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa and a close ally of President Tshisekedi. Christian Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest shortly after live-streaming the attack on social media, according to the Congolese army.

During the trial, Marcel Malanga, a U.S. citizen, claimed under oath that his father had forced him and Thompson Jr., his high school friend, to participate in the attack. "Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders," Marcel Malanga reportedly stated. The court also heard that Thompson Jr. traveled to Africa from Utah with the younger Malanga for what his family believed was a free vacation, while Zalman-Polun allegedly knew Christian Malanga through a gold mining company.

Political and Economic Implications

The timing of the pardon coincides with Congolese authorities' pursuit of a minerals deal with the United States. President Tshisekedi has reportedly offered President Trump a minerals deal in exchange for removing violent rebels from his country, invoking what some perceive as a "golden age" for mineral extraction reminiscent of the Trump era. This potential deal underscores the complex interplay between security concerns and economic interests in the region.

The State Department has not yet issued a formal response to requests for comment regarding the pardon or the proposed minerals deal. However, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce recently announced on X that Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos will be visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda this week to promote U.S. interests in the region.