Utah man declined $100K provide to journey to Congo on ‘safety job’ that was covert coup try

SALT LAKE CITY — The good friend of a outstanding Congolese opposition chief’s son stated he turned down a six-figure provide to journey there from the U.S. as a part of the household’s safety element in what turned out to be a failed coup try.

Marcel Malanga, the 21-year-old son of eccentric coup chief Christian Malanga, was detained by Congolese forces Sunday morning, together with a former classmate from their hometown of West Jordan, Utah, after his father was killed in a shootout whereas resisting arrest. His highschool soccer teammate, Tyler Thompson, 21, was certainly one of two different People arrested after an ill-fated assault on the presidential palace in Kinshasa.

Six folks have been lifeless and dozens arrested, together with the three People, following that assault and one other on the residence of an in depth ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, the Congolese military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, stated.

Daniel Gonzalez, a former teammate of the 2 Utah residents caught up within the foiled coup, advised The Related Press that Marcel had supplied him $50,000 to $100,000 to spend 4 months in Congo as a safety guard for his politician father. The 22-year-old FedEx employee strongly thought of it, however stated it lacked concrete particulars. He in the end declined so he might spend the summer season along with his girlfriend.

“I really feel actually unhappy for Tyler and Marcel however, on the finish of the day, I can simply be grateful that I did not go as a result of I might be caught in the identical scary scenario,” Gonzalez stated.

Marcel’s profitable provide to Gonzalez sheds mild on how he may need enticed Thompson to return alongside on what his stepmother, Miranda, stated was purported to be a trip.

It was certainly one of many propositions the coup chief’s American son made to former soccer teammates in what many described as a determined effort to carry somebody with him to Congo. He pitched the journey to some as a household trip and nonetheless to others as a service journey to construct wells in drought-stricken communities.

Though it is unclear whether or not Thompson was supplied cash, a number of teammates advised the AP that he had alluded to such incentives, telling one good friend that the journey could possibly be a “massive monetary alternative.”

Thompson’s household insists he is a political pawn who was dragged into a global battle underneath false pretenses. They’ve had no direct communication with their son because the coup and are nervous for his security, his stepmother stated.

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Marcel’s mom, Brittney Sawyer, stated her son is harmless and had adopted his father.

Christian Malanga, the slain chief of the Congolese opposition political social gathering, thought of himself president of a shadow authorities in exile, which he known as the “New Zaire.” He described himself on his web site as a refugee who settled in Salt Lake Metropolis along with his household within the Nineteen Nineties, pursuing enterprise alternatives in gold mining and used automobile gross sales earlier than ultimately shifting again to Congo to battle for political reforms.

Whereas campaigning for the Congolese Parliament, he claimed he was jailed and endured torturous beatings. He later printed a manifesto detailing plans to reform Congo’s safety companies and described his motion as an effort to arrange fellow emigres in opposition to the “present Congolese dictatorship authorities regime.”

“Marcel was fairly secretive about his dad. He did not even know him effectively till he spent final summer season in Africa,” Gonzalez stated. “There is no approach Marcel had any thought what he’d be getting us into or he by no means would’ve supplied. He is among the finest associates an individual might have.”

Within the early hours Sunday, Christian Malanga started livestreaming video on social media from contained in the palace. He’s seen along with his armed son, who rapidly pulls a neck gaiter over his face, wanting round wide-eyed. Congo officers haven’t commented on how the attackers have been in a position to get inside.

Gonzalez, of Herriman, Utah, stated he had communicated with Marcel concerning the monetary provide over Snapchat, in messages which have since disappeared, within the months main as much as the coup try. He was shocked to find out how the journey performed out.

Marcel had advised Gonzalez that his father was letting him rent a good friend so he would have firm throughout his summer season overseas. He appeared excited to have the ability to provide such a considerable sum of money to an in depth good friend who wanted it, Gonzalez defined.

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I really feel actually unhappy for Tyler and Marcel however, on the finish of the day, I can simply be grateful that I did not go as a result of I might be caught in the identical scary scenario.

–Daniel Gonzalez

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The Malangas had promised on-the-job coaching, full protection of journey bills and the possibility to discover a brand new a part of the world whereas making an revenue, he stated. Marcel insisted repeatedly that it was secure, however did not share particulars about his father’s background.

Neither Gonzalez nor his mom thought the journey could be unsafe, he stated, regardless of the U.S. State Division strongly discouraging journey to Congo — however he turned it down when his girlfriend requested him to not depart for 4 months.

He later noticed personal Snapchat movies filmed by Marcel that confirmed Thompson wanting frightened as armed Congolese troopers surrounded their car. In Gonzalez’s remaining Snapchat trade along with his good friend earlier than their seize, he requested whether or not Thompson was OK and urged them to remain secure.

Marcel assured him that they have been.

Different former soccer teammates, together with Luke Barbee and Jaden Lalor, had heard totally different pitches concerning the journey and puzzled why Marcel appeared so determined to carry somebody alongside. Neither might fathom their associates’ attainable involvement in a violent assault.

“I think about Marcel a brother to me and Tyler a good friend, and I actually consider Marcel’s father will need to have pressured them for his personal desires,” Lalor stated. “I simply need them again safely.”