Armed men in military fatigue on Sunday stormed the Presidential Palace (Palais de la Nation) in the DRC capital Kinshasa chanting “New Zaire” an act that has been described as a foiled Coup detat.
Local congolese media reported that also the residence of Vital Kamerhe a candidate for the national assembly was attacked at around 4:00 AM in Gombe Commune.
“The armed men opened fire for several minutes according to security souces and eye witnesses,” a local media outlet actualite reported, adding, “three people, including two police officers, were killed.”
The reasons and circumstances of these events remain unclear at this time. Gunshots were still heard until six o’clock.
According to government sources, neither Vital Kamerhe nor members of his family were affected.
Some attackers retreated towards the river, according to witnesses. According to souces, some of that attackers have been arrested.
Details also indicate that the attackers displayed effigies and flags of Zaire, the old name of the country. They spoke in English, Lingala and French.
The attackers claimed they are from the diaspora. In the palace compound, they filmed themselves raising Zaire flags, and broken windows and damaged vehicles were visible.
They said they are fighting to remove President Félix Tshisekedi from power and also verbally attacked Vital Kamerhe.
