Three Americans Released to U.S. Custody After Failed Coup in DRC Amid Growing U.S.-Congo Cooperation

KINSHASA / WASHINGTON — Three American citizens previously imprisoned in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over their involvement in a failed coup attempt have been handed over to U.S. custody, Congolese and U.S. officials confirmed on Tuesday. The transfer follows a series of high-level diplomatic engagements between the two nations, underscoring deepening ties in both security cooperation and critical mineral partnerships.

The handover was finalized during the recent visit of U.S. President Donald Trump's senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos, to Kinshasa, where he held direct talks with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. The development marks a notable step forward in bilateral relations that have been intensifying in recent months, particularly around shared strategic interests.

“This demonstrates that collaboration and cooperation between our two countries are becoming stronger and more productive,” said Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi.

The United States has prioritized the safe return of its citizens, with the State Department reiterating that the repatriation of Americans held abroad remains a key focus of the Trump administration. The White House declined to comment on the matter.

The three U.S. nationals were among 37 individuals sentenced to death in September by a military tribunal in the DRC, following a failed coup in May 2024 led by Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese opposition figure. Among those arrested was Malanga’s 22-year-old son, Marcel, who testified during trial proceedings that he and a high school friend were coerced into joining the plot under threat of violence from his father. The family has since asked for privacy, declining to issue further public statements.

The timing of the release aligns with broader negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa. Last month, the State Department confirmed it was exploring opportunities for strategic partnerships in critical minerals—resources such as cobalt and lithium that are essential to manufacturing mobile phones, electric vehicles, and other green technologies. These minerals are currently dominated by Chinese mining interests in Congo, a dynamic the U.S. is seeking to rebalance.

Congo has proposed a minerals-for-security framework to the Trump administration, aimed at leveraging its vast natural resources in exchange for American support to address mounting security concerns, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern provinces. Violence in the region has escalated sharply since January, with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels capturing key territories, stoking fears of a broader regional conflict.

Though the Trump administration has not publicly detailed its potential security contributions, former U.S. defense officials suggest the options could include sending military advisors, contractors, or providing advanced training programs for Congolese forces.

“We hope any assistance is structured in a way that upholds human rights and contributes to long-term stability,” said a former senior Pentagon official. “That will be immensely challenging given the complexities on the ground in the DRC.”

Further reflecting the evolving diplomatic dynamic, Congolese officials—represented by lobbyist Joseph Szlavik-Soto—have reportedly agreed to cover damages from earlier attacks on the U.S. embassy and other diplomatic facilities during public unrest. The State Department declined to comment on this agreement.

As Kinshasa seeks a greater American role in stabilizing its security landscape, the release of the three Americans is being seen as both a humanitarian resolution and a strategic gesture—potentially opening the door to a broader U.S. footprint in the heart of Africa’s mineral-rich Great Lakes region.