The government of the Republic of Congo has refuted online rumours that the country in central Africa had experienced a coup.
“Fanciful information suggests there may be serious events underway in Brazzaville,” government spokesman Thierry Moungalla said in a statement posted on Twitter.
The statement by the Congo Brazzaville government said the reports of a coup attempt against President Denis Nguesso, who has been in power for 38 years was not true.
The government’s denial came after Information Minister Thierry Moungalla tweeted on Saturday that “fanciful information” was suggesting “serious events” were underway in the capital, Brazzaville.
“The Government denies this fake news,” Moungalla tweeted. “We reassure public opinion about the calm that reigns and invite people to go about their activities calmly.”
The government’s website also posted a statement denying the coup attempt reports. Nguesso, 78, has led his nation in central Africa for 38 years. After a civil war, he returned to office in 1997 and has stayed in that position ever since. He served as president from 1979 to 1992. Africa has experienced a surge of coups in recent months, with the most recent taking place in Gabon in January, where the military took control.
However, the Congolese government’s denial of the rumours of a coup attempt implies that things are under control in the nation.
