Congo Rebels Charged With Plotting Coup

19 accused, including one American citizen

A South African prosecutor says 19 Congolese rebels, including a U.S. citizen, plotted to overthrow their government in a scheme that included trading mining rights for sophisticated weapons.

At a hearing in Pretoria on Thursday, prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said the suspects were part of a rebel group, the Union of Nationalists for Renewal. He said their goal was to get military training and equipment to topple DRC President Joseph Kabila.