KINSHASA, DRC – Three American citizens sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over a failed coup attempt have been handed over to U.S. authorities following high-level talks between Washington and Kinshasa, the Congolese presidency said Tuesday.
The men were transferred into U.S. custody after their sentences were commuted last week, allowing them to serve their time in the United States.
The deal was finalized during a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, who met President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.
The visit came amid growing security cooperation and ongoing negotiations over access to Congo’s critical mineral reserves.
“This shows that the collaboration and cooperation between the two states is growing stronger and stronger,” said presidential spokesperson Tina Salama.
The handover comes at a time when the United States is exploring deeper involvement in DRC, including potential mineral-for-security agreements.
The Congolese government is seeking U.S. support to stabilize its conflict-ridden eastern regions, which have seen a surge in violence since January, driven by the advance of M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda.
Congo is home to vast reserves of cobalt, copper, and other rare minerals vital to electric vehicles and smartphones—resources currently dominated by Chinese mining companies.
The Americans were among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court in September for their role in the failed May 2024 coup led by Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese politician. Malanga was killed during the attempted takeover.
Among those detained was Malanga’s 22-year-old son, Marcel, who told the court he had been coerced into joining the operation and feared for his life.
His mother said in a statement that the family needed time and would not be commenting further.
U.S. officials had lobbied Kinshasa for the Americans’ release.
According to lobbyist Joseph Szlavik-Soto, who represents the Congolese government in Washington, Kinshasa also agreed to cover damages from earlier protests that targeted the U.S. embassy and other diplomatic missions.
The State Department said bringing detained Americans home remains a top priority but declined to comment on the broader negotiations.
