President Joseph Kabila has instructed his army chief of staff to restore order in the Democratic Republic of Congo after security forces put down an apparent coup attempt by members of his personal guard.
The coup's alleged ringleader, identified as Major Eric Lenge, fled the capital, Kinshasa, after briefly seizing state radio early on Friday and declaring himself in control.
A presidential spokesman said he was still at large on Saturday.
Life in Kinshasa went on as normal, with the city's main central boulevard filled with traders and people crowding round to read newspapers laid on the ground by vendors.
Many residents cast doubt on the official version of events, suggesting Kabila's camp may have staged the radio station take-over to make it easier for the president to declare a state of emergency if he wanted to do so.
"We were told that there was fighting. Why is it we've not been shown people that were dead or injured?" asked a 38-year-old unemployed man who declined to give is name.
In an address to the nation on television and radio on Friday night, Kabila praised the army and security forces for swiftly ending the insurrection without loss of life or significant property damage.
"I cannot tolerate anyone destabilising the peace process," he said.
"I have given precise instructions to the chief of staff of the army to restore order and calm...I want to reassure the population, especially the people in the capital, that the situation is under control," he said.




















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