Shooting in Congo capital leaves three dead as men in military uniform clash with guards of politicians | World News

Three people were killed in a shootout in the Congolese capital early Sunday morning between armed men in military uniform and the guards of a top politician, according to the politician’s spokesman and local media. This came amid a crisis rocking President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party over a parliamentary leadership election that was supposed to take place on Saturday but was postponed.

The gunmen attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal lawmaker and candidate for speaker of Congo’s National Assembly, but were stopped by his guards, Michel Moto Muhima, his spokesman said on the social media platform X : “The Honorable.” Vital Kamerhe and his family are healthy and happy. Their security has been beefed up,” he wrote.

Local media identified the men as Congolese soldiers. It was not clear whether the men in military uniform were trying to arrest the politician. Muhima said two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shooting that began around 4:30 a.m. outside the house on Tshatshi Boulevard, 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace and also home to some embassies.

The footage, which appeared to be from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men marching through deserted streets in the neighborhood. On Friday, President Felix Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Holy Union of the Nation ruling coalition to try to resolve the crisis within his party, which dominates the National Assembly. He said he “will not hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices continue.” Tshisekedi was re-elected as president in December in a chaotic vote after the opposition called for a new vote due to a lack of transparency, following previous trends in disputed elections in the Central African country.

The U.S. Embassy in Congo issued a security alert and urged caution after “reports of gunfire” – Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria.