JOHANNESBURG, May 24 — Three Americans were among at least 26 security workers arrested and jailed last week in Congo on suspicion of plotting a coup in advance of national elections in July, officials and news services reported Wednesday.

Fifteen of the suspects are employed by a South African security company, Omega Security Solutions, whose parent company has offices in Pretoria, the South African capital. A company official said the detained Americans work for two U.S. companies that are arranging security and logistics for the campaign of a presidential candidate in Congo. The other suspects are Nigerians.

From Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, Interior Minister Theophile Mbemba said 32 men with military gear were arrested, but he offered few other details, the Associated Press reported. “It is clear that they were military personnel with political plans. . . . They were part of a coup attempt, and they will face justice in Congo,” he said.
washingtonpost.com

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