Image Credit: JOEL SAGET / AFP
The Congolese Government has denied reports about a coup attempt against 79-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
The government denied the reports on Sunday through a statement posted by its Minister of Information Thierry Moungalla on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Nguesso has served as president of the Republic of the Congo since 1997. He served a previous term as president from 1979 to 1992. During his first period as president, he headed the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT) for 12 years.
The statement read, “URGENT – Fanciful information suggests serious events that are underway at #Brazzaville,” he wrote on the social media platform with the statement also posted on the government’s website.
“The Government denies this fake news. We reassure public opinion about the calm that reigns and invite people to calmly go about their activities.”
Africa has witnessed eight coups in the last three years, with the latest one happening in Gabon on August 30, just hours after the country’s election commission announced that President Ali Bongo Ondimba had been elected for a third term in office.
Before Gabon, there was a coup in Niger Republic.
On July 26, 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger when the country's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Presidential Guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta, shortly after confirming the coup was a success.