Congo Returns 3 Americans to the US After Commuting Their Death Sentences

Three Americans sentenced to death in Congo for their involvement in a failed coup attempt have been repatriated to the United States to serve life sentences, as their families rejoice while legal experts warn of slim chances for sentence reductions.

Quick Takes

Three American citizens convicted in Congo’s coup attempt have been transferred to US custody after their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
The repatriation coincides with ongoing negotiations between the US and Congo regarding mineral investments and security cooperation against rebels.
The Americans are now also facing charges in the US related to the attempted coup.
The transfer represents a strategic diplomatic move occurring as the US seeks to counter Chinese dominance in Congo’s valuable mineral sector.

Americans Return Home Under Prisoner Transfer Agreement

The Democratic Republic of Congo has repatriated three American citizens previously sentenced to death for their involvement in a failed coup attempt last year. Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun were returned to the US following diplomatic negotiations that commuted their death sentences. The transfer was coordinated through the US Embassy in Kinshasa, with the State Department acknowledging the repatriation while directing further inquiries to the Justice Department about the specific conditions of their continued imprisonment.

The men were among dozens convicted in connection with the May 2023 coup attempt led by Christian Malanga, a former Utah resident and Congolese politician who was killed during his arrest. The attempted overthrow involved attacking the home of then-economy minister Vital Kamerhe and the presidential offices while flying flags of Zaire and declaring an end to the current regime. In addition to the Americans, foreign nationals from Belgium, Britain, and Canada were also convicted, highlighting the international dimensions of the failed plot.

Congo sends 3 Americans convicted of botched coup attempt to US after facing death sentences https://t.co/42ki8OdgzT pic.twitter.com/HXqxUsj53G

— New York Post (@nypost) April 9, 2025

Families Express Relief Amid Ongoing Legal Challenges

For the families of the repatriated Americans, the transfer marks a significant milestone in their efforts to secure better conditions for their loved ones. The three men had reportedly been held in poor conditions at a high-security military prison in Kinshasa, where inmates faced health issues and had to pay for basic necessities. Thompson’s stepmother, Miranda Thompson, expressed their emotional reaction to the news, saying the family was “excited to have him on American soil again.”

Some families have suggested the men were coerced into participation, with Marcel Malanga claiming he was forced to join by his father and Thompson’s family believing he thought he was on a free vacation to Africa.

Nevertheless, the three Americans are now facing charges in the US related to the attempted coup. The Department of Justice has accused the individuals of providing support such as training and weapons to the rebels.

Strategic Timing Amid US-Congo Mineral Negotiations

The repatriation comes at a strategically significant moment in US-Congo relations, coinciding with ongoing talks for potential multibillion-dollar investments in Congo’s vast mineral resources. Congo possesses substantial deposits of cobalt, copper, and other minerals critical for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicle batteries. Currently, Chinese companies dominate extraction operations in the country, but the US is actively seeking to increase its presence and investment in this sector.

Beyond mineral interests, the US is also discussing enhanced security cooperation with Congo, particularly concerning the conflict with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the eastern part of the country. US senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos, is actively involved in these discussions and plans to visit the DRC. The timing of the prisoners’ transfer appears to reflect a broader diplomatic effort to improve relations between the two nations as they work toward mutual economic and security interests.