Family of American caught up in Congo failed coup reveals son's innocence

Tyler Thompson, a 21-year-old American, was on vacation in Africa with friends when he got involved in a failed coup attempt in Congo. His family said he was not into politics before this incident. The Congolese army mentioned him as part of the group trying to overthrow the government. Tyler's stepmother expressed shock and sadness after seeing videos of the coup attempt. Even though it's not confirmed if Tyler was arrested or harmed, a video online shows him with Congolese soldiers looking scared and injured. Tyler used to play football with Marcel Malanga in high school. Marcel invited Tyler to Congo for a vacation, and Tyler was the only one who accepted the offer. Marcel had asked other friends too, but they declined. This sudden involvement in the coup was surprising to their friends, as both Tyler and Marcel were not known for conflict. Tyler's stepmother mentioned that he was not interested in politics and was just excited to travel with his friend. The U.S. State Department advises against traveling to Congo due to safety concerns. The U.S. Embassy in Congo is waiting for proof from the Congolese government that the arrested individuals are Americans before offering consular help. Marcel, the leader of the coup attempt, had been showing signs of aggression since he was young, as seen on his social media posts. He and his group tried to enter the government complex forcefully. Marcel's family background and upbringing in a poor area of Kinshasa might have influenced his actions. His mother passed away when he was young, and he had a close relationship with his father. Marcel was a talented football player in high school and had aspirations to make a difference in the world with his father. The involvement of American citizens in the coup attempt raised concerns, and investigations are ongoing to understand the full extent of their roles.