American Teenager Sentenced to Death in Congo Over Failed Coup Attempt

In April, 21-year-old Tyler Thompson from Utah boarded a plane, with his stepmother Miranda Thompson believing he was heading to South Africa for an exciting adventure with his high school friend, Marcel Malanga. However, Tyler’s journey took a dark turn as he found himself involved in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), leading to a death sentence.

Tyler Thompson, Marcel Malanga, and 35 other individuals were convicted by a Congolese military court for their roles in a botched coup against President Félix Tshisekedi. The charges include terrorism, murder, illegal weapon possession, and other serious crimes.

Thompson’s family, who had no idea how he ended up in the DRC, expressed deep sadness over the verdict and continue to believe in his innocence. Malanga’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, also maintains her son’s innocence.

The U.S. State Department has stated that the legal process in the DRC allows for appeals, and U.S. officials will monitor the situation closely. The U.S. government has not labeled the convictions as wrongful, which may impact any potential efforts to secure their return.

The coup attempt took place on May 19, led by Christian Malanga, Marcel’s father. Malanga, who had been in exile and declared himself president of a self-created government-in-exile, tried to overthrow President Tshisekedi with a poorly planned attack. The coup began with assaults on key political figures, including the parliamentary speaker and the president’s residence. The attempt ended in violence, with Christian Malanga killed by Congolese forces and several others dead.

Tyler Thompson and Marcel Malanga met in high school, and Malanga’s father, Christian Malanga, had a troubled history with the Congolese government. After being a refugee in the U.S. and returning to the DRC, he became disillusioned and formed a government-in-exile, which eventually led to the failed coup attempt.