For much of yesterday, social media was awash with the news that a military coup had taken place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was alleged that the leader of the presidential guards had toppled the government of President Denis Nguesso while he was away in the United States.
The news gained traction and started trending on X and other platforms. Well, in a new twist to the whole drama, the Congolese government has denied a coup ever took place.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Thierry Moungalla, the country’s minister of information, quashed rumours of a coup in the country. In the minister’s words, “Fanciful information suggests serious events that are underway at #Brazzaville. The Government denies this fake news.”
He assured the pub;lic of calm and urged all citizens to go about their normal activities, as there is nothing like a coup underway and the people are safe.
President Nguesso was attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States when the alleged coup took place.
Nguesso is a former military officer and has been in power since 1997. There’s been robust opposition to his continued stay in power. This probably fuelled the coup news.
