The Congolese Government has swiftly dismissed rumours of a coup plot targeting President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who has held power for 38 years and is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Thierry Moungalla, the Minister of Communication and Media for the nation, wasted no time addressing the coup plot allegations on his X profile.
In a tweet, he stated, “URGENT – Fanciful information suggests serious events that are underway at #Brazzaville.” This statement was also posted on the government’s official website. He further added, “The Government denies this fake news. We reassure public opinion about the calm that reigns and invite people to calmly go about their activities.”
President Nguesso, at 78 years of age, has maintained an iron grip on power in Central Africa for nearly four decades. He initially served as president from 1979 to 1992, returned to power in 1997 following a civil war, and has remained in office ever since.
These reports of the coup plot come in the wake of a series of coups across the African continent, with the most recent one occurring in Gabon earlier this month. Nations such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, and Mali are currently under military rule.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently signed a security pact, pledging to come to each other’s aid in the event of rebellion or external aggression.
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) had issued an ultimatum to the junta in Niger, demanding the reinstatement of the democratically elected leader or face sanctions, possibly including military intervention. However, the regime chose to defy the regional bloc’s warnings.
