Exclusive-Congo Hands Over Americans Jailed Over Failed Coup as Talks on Minerals Progress

Three American citizens jailed over a failed coup attempt in Democratic Republic of Congo were handed over to U.S. 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 U.S. authorities after their sentences were commuted last week to serve their time at home.

The deal to hand over the Americans was finalised as U.S. President Donald Trump's senior Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, traveled to Congo to hold meetings with President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital Kinshasa.

Their release comes at a time of intensifying negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa. The United States is open to exploring critical minerals partnerships, the State Department told Reuters last month, after Congo pitched a minerals-for-security deal to the Trump administration.

Ahead of the trip, Trump's special envoy for hostage response had called on Tshisekedi to release the Americans.

“This shows that the collaboration and cooperation between the two states is growing stronger and stronger,” said Tina Salama, Tshisekedi's spokeswoman.

The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.