The events in Kinshasa, which saw elements of the presidential guard briefly seize control of the national television station and announce that the army was in charge, represented the second coup attempt in less than three months.
Although initial indications were that the revolt may have been staged as part of a strategy by President Joseph Kabila to prepare the way for an emergency consolidation of his power base, such rumours only heightened concerns about the cohesiveness of the transitional government.
Cooperation was never going to be easy within the coalition, which came to power in June last year, ending five years of civil war. The power-sharing structure incorporated a number of previously opposed heavyweights, including Azarias Ruberwa, formerly leader of the Rwanda-backed Rally for Congoles
