Americans in alleged Congo coup plot formed an unlikely band

By JESSICA DONATI, BRADY MCCOMBS, HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and MICHAEL BIESECKER
Associated Press

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Authorities in Congo are accusing three Americans of involvement in a brazen weekend attack on Congo’s presidential palace. According to the official description of events, the three formed an unlikely band under the leadership of eccentric opposition figure Christian Malanga, who dabbled in gold mining and used cars before persuading his Utah-born son to join in the ill-fated coup attempt. Six people, including Malanga, were killed in the attack early Sunday and the three Americans were among dozens arrested. Officials say they are trying to untangle how Malanga’s 21-year-old son, Marcel, went from playing high school football to allegedly trying to unseat the leader of one of Africa’s largest countries. Marcel’s mother says, “My son is innocent.”