In a shocking turn of events, the leader of an attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was killed, and approximately 50 people, including three American citizens, have been arrested. The army spokesperson revealed this information to Reuters, shedding light on the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the capital city, Kinshasa, in the early hours of Sunday.

According to eyewitness accounts, gunfire erupted around 4 am, causing panic among residents. Armed men launched an attack on the presidency in the city center. Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for the country's army, confirmed the assault on the presidential palace and another attack on the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a parliament member who was expected to become the speaker.

Michel Moto Muhima, Kamerhe's spokesperson, and the Japanese ambassador took to Twitter to confirm that two guards and an attacker had been killed during the incident at Kamerhe's residence. Ekenge also mentioned the death of an attacker during the assault. The intensity of the violence even reached neighboring Republic of Congo, as a shell fired from Kinshasa hit the city of Brazzaville, injuring several individuals, with one person being hospitalized.

Identifying the leader of the attempted coup, Ekenge named Christian Malanga, a Congolese politician based in the United States. He revealed that Malanga had previously attempted a failed coup in 2017. Among the individuals arrested, one of them was Malanga's son, suggesting a potential family involvement. A Facebook page allegedly belonging to Malanga streamed a video of the attack, although its authenticity has not been independently verified.

Concerns regarding the involvement of American citizens in these events were raised by the US ambassador, Lucy Tamlyn. She expressed her worry in a social media post, stating that the US embassy would cooperate with Congolese authorities in investigating any criminal acts committed by US citizens.

The United Nations' stabilisation mission in the DRC also condemned the incidents, with its chief, Bintou Keita, offering support to the Congolese authorities. The mission pledged to assist in the resolution of the situation.

President Tshisekedi, who was re-elected for a second term in December, has yet to announce a new government, despite appointing a prime minister six weeks ago. Kamerhe's bid for the parliamentary speaker position was also delayed by Tshisekedi's decision, further complicating the political landscape in the country.

The arrest of the individuals involved in the attempted coup and the subsequent investigations will provide crucial insights into the motives and potential ramifications of this incident. As the nation awaits further updates, the DRC braces itself for a thorough examination of its security apparatus and seeks to bring stability back to its capital city.