The Democratic Republic of Congo has commuted the death sentences of three U.S. citizens convicted over a failed coup attempt last year, reducing their punishment to life imprisonment, the presidency announced Tuesday. The decision comes just ahead of a visit by newly appointed U.S. senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos.
The three Americans—Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson, and Benjamin Zalman-Polun—were among 50 people, including citizens from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Belgium, and Congo, who were tried for their involvement in the attempted overthrow of President Félix Tshisekedi’s government in May 2024.
A military court sentenced 37 defendants to death in September, convicting them of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges. The Americans denied any wrongdoing and appealed, but their convictions were upheld. However, Congo’s justice ministry later proposed a pardon, which was formally requested by the public prosecutor and approved by President Tshisekedi.
“This presidential pardon is a first step that promises major changes in the future,” said Ckiness Ciamba, a lawyer for Malanga.
Marcel Malanga, in his 20s, is the son of Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese politician who led the coup attempt before being killed by security forces on May 19. Thompson, also in his 20s, was a high school friend of Marcel Malanga from Utah, while Zalman-Polun was a business associate of Christian Malanga.
The commutation of their sentences coincides with Boulos’ upcoming visit to Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, starting April 3. The U.S. State Department said his trip aims to promote peace efforts in eastern Congo, where Rwanda-backed rebels are active, and to encourage U.S. private sector investment in the region.