The family of American Tyler Thompson, caught up in a failed coup attempt in Congo, stated that he was in Africa on vacation with family friends and had no prior history of political activism. Thompson, along with at least two other Americans, including a convicted marijuana trafficker and the son of the alleged leader, Christian Malanga, were named as being involved in the coup attempt. Malanga was shot dead after resisting arrest, with a total of six people killed in the attack on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi.
The stepmother of Thompson expressed shock and heartbreak at the videos of the coup attempt, stating that it was completely out of character for him to be involved in such activities. She described Thompson as a good kid, a hard worker, and a respectful young man who was excited to see the world with family friends. The U.S. Embassy in Congo was awaiting evidence from the Congolese government to confirm the citizenship of the arrested individuals, at which point they would be able to provide consular services to them.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the coup attempt in a call with President Tshisekedi, offering assistance from the U.S. in the investigation. The Congolese government has not yet announced when the suspects will appear in court, leaving uncertainty regarding the legal proceedings in the case. The stepmother reiterated that Thompson was not politically engaged and had no intentions of participating in activism while on vacation in Africa.
The Congo MPOX outbreak, rapidly spreading through the country, may be a new form of the disease, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. Malanga, the alleged leader of the coup attempt, was shot dead by Congolese forces, further complicating the unfolding events. It remains unclear how Thompson, who had no history of political involvement, became entangled in the situation, leading to confusion and disbelief among his family.
The failed coup attempt in Congo and the involvement of at least three American citizens, including Thompson, has garnered international attention, with condemnation from U.S. officials and offers of assistance in the investigation. The lack of evidence confirming the citizenship of the arrested individuals has delayed the provision of consular services by the U.S. Embassy in Congo, creating additional challenges for those involved. The unclear timeline for legal proceedings adds to the uncertainty surrounding Thompson’s situation and the broader implications of the failed coup attempt.
