Democratic Republic of Congo Beats Back Surprise Coup Attempt

The attackers hit the state television station and interrupted a morning show.

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The Democratic Republic of Congo said Monday that it beat back an apparent coup attempt in the capital, where assailants armed with sticks and some guns attacked key points across the city.

The militants in Kinshasa attacked the airport and a military base, as well as the state television station in the midst of a morning talk show broadcast, the Associated Press reports. A spokesman for the government said about 40 people were killed and 16 attackers captured.

The intruders at the television station reportedly wanted to broadcast a message on behalf of a fringe evangelical preacher, Joseph Mukungubila, according to the AP. They were foiled when the signal was cut, and the military arrived soon after.

[AP]