U.S. Nationals Implicated in Bold Plot to Overthrow Congo Government

Map showing the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Three Americans deported from Congo face federal charges for a failed coup plot aimed at establishing a new revolutionary government called “New Zaire,” with a fourth U.S. citizen charged as their explosives expert.

Key Takeaways

Three Americans and a fourth explosives expert face federal charges for plotting to overthrow the Congolese government and install a “New Zaire” regime
Marcel Malanga, son of deceased self-proclaimed exile leader Christian Malanga, was allegedly threatened by his father to participate as “Chief of Staff of the Zaire army”
The defendants were initially sentenced to death in Congo before being repatriated to the U.S., coinciding with Congo’s efforts to secure a minerals deal with America
The plot involved drones equipped with flamethrowers, weapons acquisition, and plans to target Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi, resulting in six deaths during the attempted coup
U.S. prosecutors deem the four defendants an “extreme danger” and a flight risk, seeking to keep them in custody

Americans Face Serious Charges After Deportation from Congo

U.S. authorities have charged four American citizens with conspiring to overthrow the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were recently returned to the United States from Congo, where they had been detained after their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt. Joseph Peter Moesser, identified as an explosives expert who allegedly assisted the plot from the United States, was arrested in Utah. The men face multiple serious charges, including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, bomb government facilities, and kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country.

The defendants were initially sentenced to death in Congo before their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment and they were eventually repatriated to the United States. Their return coincides with Congolese efforts to secure a minerals deal with the U.S. for security support, raising questions about the timing and potential diplomatic maneuvering behind their release. Malanga, Thompson, and Zalman-Polun are expected to appear in court in Brooklyn, while Moesser will face proceedings in Salt Lake City.

The “New Zaire” Plot and Family Connections

At the center of the conspiracy was Christian Malanga, a self-proclaimed leader in exile with a criminal history in the United States. Marcel Malanga, his 22-year-old son, was allegedly coerced into participating in the plot. According to court documents, the elder Malanga threatened his son to follow orders and offered money to recruit others. The conspirators aimed to establish a new government called “New Zaire,” with Christian Malanga installed as president. The plot was foiled when Christian Malanga was killed during the attempted coup.

“The four defendants pose an extreme danger to the community and present an unmanageable risk of flight” – the Justice Department

The FBI investigation revealed that the men had designated specific roles within their revolutionary structure. Marcel Malanga was to serve as “Chief of Staff of the Zaire army,” while Zalman-Polun was promised a position in the new administration if the coup succeeded. Thompson functioned as a drone specialist, and Moesser provided expertise in explosives. Their planning allegedly included recruiting friends, acquiring weaponry, and conducting firearms training before departing for Africa to execute their plot.

Weapons, Violence, and Advanced Planning

The plot involved sophisticated weaponry and technology, including drones equipped with flamethrower attachments. Witnesses reported observing Thompson and Malanga conducting drone tests and firearms training before their departure for Africa. Once in Congo, the men allegedly hijacked a bus and raided a police station to acquire weapons. During the attempted coup, the conspirators targeted DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe, resulting in six fatalities, including two police officers and one civilian.

“A criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday in the District of Utah charged four U.S. citizens with conspiring to unlawfully carry out a coup d’état in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).” – U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

Moesser, who has a previous criminal record involving explosives, allegedly assisted in installing a flamethrower on a drone and conspired to ship explosives and rifles to Congo. The investigation was led by FBI Salt Lake City, with assistance from FBI New York and the Legal Attaché Office in Nairobi. Prosecutors are seeking to keep all four defendants in jail, citing them as both a danger to the community and a flight risk. The case highlights the serious consequences American citizens can face when participating in foreign military operations or coup attempts without government authorization.