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KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Three U.S. citizens jailed over a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo are now in U.S. custody after their sentences were commuted last week, four U.S. diplomats and the Congolese presidency told Reuters on Tuesday.
The deal to hand over the Americans was finalized as President Donald Trump's senior Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, traveled to Congo to hold meetings with President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital of Kinshasa.
Among them is 21-year-old Marcel Malanga, a West Jordan resident and son of opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the foiled coup attempt that targeted the presidential palace in Kinshasa.
Also repatriated are Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, a friend of the younger Malanga who flew to Africa from Utah for what his family believed was a free vacation, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36
In September 2024, a military court in Congo handed down death sentences Friday to 37 people, including the Malanga, Thompson and Zalman-Polun.
The repatriation comes amid negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa on security and mining. Ahead of the trip, Trump's special envoy for hostage response had called on Tshisekedi to release the Americans.
Congo's minerals, which are used in mobile phones and electric cars, are currently exploited predominantly by China and its mining companies.
A U.S. source close to the talks said the three Americans would face charges back home over their role in the coup attempt.
The United States is open to exploring critical minerals partnerships with Congo, the State Department said in a statement to Reuters last month, after a Congolese senator contacted U.S. officials to pitch a minerals-for-security deal.
Contributing: Jessica Donati, Sonia Rolley and Stanis Bujakera, and the Associated Press
