The G60, a group of Nigerian federal lawmakers from the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the recent failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling for the prosecution of those responsible.
On Sunday, the DR Congo military thwarted an attempted coup near the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa. According to the army spokesperson, General Sylvain Ekenge, the attempt involved both “foreigners and Congolese” and occurred in the early hours outside the residence of the economy minister, Vital Kamerhe, in the Gombe area, near the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
READ MORE: Military foils coup attempt in DR Congo
General Ekenge, in a message broadcast on national television, stated, “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces,” adding that the “foreigners and Congolese.… including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm.”
In response, the Nigerian G60 lawmakers issued a statement through their spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, expressing strong disapproval of the attempt to remove a democratically elected president. The lawmakers voiced concern over the increasing frequency of coups against democratic institutions in Africa and called for the prosecution of the culprits. They also commended the Congolese army for its swift intervention.
READ MORE: Three Americans detained over role in DR Congo failed coup
The statement reads: “We are troubled by the increasing prevalence of coups on democratic institutions in Africa. We condemn in strong terms the failed coup attempt in DR Congo and we believe that their government will ensure that those who undermine the principles and institutions of democracy and erode the rights and freedoms of citizens are punished.
“The insecurity situation in some regions on the continent is being exploited to topple democratic rule, and we implore all stakeholders to work together to confront and defeat this dangerous trend. We call on all parties to prioritise citizens’ safety and security and seek peaceful and democratic solutions to the challenges facing the region.”
