African Union condemns coup attempt in DR Congo

JOHANNESBURG

The head of the African Union Commission has condemned the attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying any use of force to change the constitutional order in any African state is “unacceptable.”

The DRC military claimed Sunday it had foiled an attempted coup in the capital Kinshasa, arresting several individuals involved in the plot.

Army spokesperson Gen. Sylvain Ekenge said security forces “neutralized” the perpetrators of the attempted coup and some were arrested.

The army said it discovered Canadian and American passports on some of the attackers, raising questions about the possible involvement of members of the diaspora in the coup attempt.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Commission chief, said in a statement late Sunday that he followed with “great concern” the events that occurred in Kinshasa and welcomes the control of the situation announced by the country's defense and security forces.