Kinshasa Military Court Concludes Investigation in May 19 Coup Attempt Case

On Friday, August 16, the Kinshasa-Gombé military court concluded the investigation into the so-called "May 19 coup d'état" case. Presided over by Major Freddy Ehume, the court wrapped up interrogations after hearing all defendants. The trial, which began on June 7, 2024, has seen 51 individuals prosecuted for their involvement in the May 19 attack on Vital Kamerhe's residence and the Palace of the Nation, which houses the office of President Félix Tshisekedi.

The court, having reviewed all testimonies after eight hours of hearings, announced that it was "sufficiently enlightened" and asked the parties to prepare their conclusions. Both the defense and civil parties, including the Congolese state, are expected to present their final arguments before deliberations commence.

A report by a group of cybercrime experts, presented during the final hearing, reconstructed the events of the attack. Jean-Jacques Wondo, a former National Intelligence Agency collaborator, was described as the "military strategist" of New Zaire, the movement behind the attempted coup. The trial saw heated exchanges between defense lawyers and the prosecution over these claims. The leader of the movement, Christian Malanga, was killed during the operation by security forces.

The attack, which took place in Kinshasa's upscale Gombe district, saw dozens of armed men storm the home of Vital Kamerhe, who is now the president of the National Assembly. They also briefly took over the Palace of the Nation, waving the flag of Zaire, the former name of the DRC under Mobutu.

The operation was thwarted by security forces, leading to the arrest of about 40 attackers and the death of four, including Malanga. Among the 51 people being prosecuted are three Americans. The hearings at Ndolo military prison will resume on August 26.