In a recent development, the name of the third American involved in the foiled coup plot in Kinshasa, Congo has been revealed as Taylor Thomson, according to Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, the army spokesman. The attack, which targeted the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, ended in disaster over the weekend.

It remains unclear whether Thomson was among those arrested or killed following the attack on Sunday morning. The other two confirmed Americans involved in the coup attempt were Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, a convicted marijuana trafficker, and Marcel Malanga, the 21-year-old son of the late leader Christian Malanga.

Authorities are still investigating how Marcel Malanga went from playing high school football in Utah to allegedly participating in a plot to unseat the leader of one of Africa's largest countries. While his mother, Brittney Sawyer, insists on his innocence in an email to The Associated Press, the videos circulating on social media suggest his involvement in the events.

Meanwhile, in Utah, family members gathered at the home of Christian Malanga's mother, Chantal Malanga, to mourn the eccentric leader who was killed in a shootout at the palace. They expressed their heartbreak and discussed plans for a possible funeral in the state.

The connection between Malanga and the other Americans involved in the coup attempt raises questions. It seems that Malanga and Zalman-Polun had ties through a gold mining company set up in Mozambique in 2022. American businessman Cole Ducey, who briefly explored business opportunities with Malanga and Zalman-Polun, stated that they never discussed the political situation in Congo or Malanga's desire to be part of the government there.

The alleged coup attempt began at the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo. Although the attackers were killed by Kamerhe's guards, it is still unclear how they were able to gain access to the residence.

Dino Mahtani, a former journalist and political adviser to the U.N., suggested that Malanga may have been tricked or betrayed, as it is difficult to understand how a small group of individuals could expect to take over the Congolese state by storming the presidential palace in the early hours of the morning.

As the investigation into the failed coup continues, authorities are working to unravel the details of the plot and determine the extent of involvement of the individuals responsible. The incident has highlighted the need for enhanced security measures and vigilance within the government of Congo to prevent such threats in the future.