Three American citizens have been transferred back to the United States after their death sentences in the Democratic Republic of Congo were commuted to life imprisonment by Congolese authorities. The decision follows diplomatic discussions between officials from both countries.
The three Americans — Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun — were among 37 individuals sentenced to death by a military court in Kinshasa in September 2024 for their roles in a failed coup attempt. The operation was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese opposition politician and the father of Marcel Malanga.
The attempted coup took place in May 2024 and resulted in a violent clash with presidential guards. At least six people, including Christian Malanga himself, were killed in the gun battle as the group sought to overthrow the Congolese government.
Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama confirmed the development, saying, “They will serve their life sentences in the United States.” She added that the three Americans were flown back to the U.S. on Tuesday.
Salama also noted that the clemency decision was initiated by the public prosecutor and recommended by the country’s justice minister.
A photograph taken during their court appearance in Kinshasa in September 2024 showed Zalman-Polun, Malanga, and Thompson seated together as they faced charges linked to the attempted coup.
The DRC presidency issued a statement on Tuesday explaining that the repatriation was “part of a dynamic effort to strengthen judicial diplomacy and international cooperation in matters of justice and human rights between the two countries.”
The move comes amid growing momentum for a potential minerals-for-security partnership between the United States and the DRC. The eastern region of the DRC continues to be plagued by conflict, as government forces battle rebel groups in the mineral-rich zone.
Last week, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi met with visiting U.S. officials, including Senior Adviser for Africa Massad Boulos and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders, in the capital, Kinshasa.
Tina Salama, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated April 3, noted that the discussions “yielded agreement on two important goals: A lasting peace that affirms the territorial integrity of the DRC (and) strengthening of economic ties, including private sector investment in the mining sector.”
The repatriation of the American convicts is being viewed as a gesture of goodwill that could help solidify bilateral ties and accelerate cooperation in key areas such as security and natural resources.
