Three Americans released from DRC prison amid diplomatic talks
Benjamin Zalman Polun, Marcel Malanga and Taylor Thompson, American citizens suspected, along with a group of over fifty other people, to be involved in an attempted coup in Congo, wait for the beginning of their trial in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 7, 2024.
US envoy had called for the release of the Americans
Congo wants the US to provide security in return for critical minerals
US troops or contractors could train Congolese forces, provide intelligence
Congo is rich in critical minerals used in mobile phones, batteries
Three American citizens jailed over a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo were handed over to US custody on Tuesday, officials said, following high-level talks between the two countries on security and mining deals, the Congolese presidency told Reuters on Tuesday.
The presidency said the Americans had been transferred to US authorities after their sentences were commuted last week to serve their time at home.
