Central African Republic Military Denies Coup Plot Reports, Calls Them Misinformation

The Central African Republic military has denied social media reports alleging a coup plot within its ranks, describing the claims as false and part of misinformation aimed at destabilising the country. Military officials said the army remains united, loyal to the government, and focused on protecting national institutions. They urged citizens to rely only on official sources for information and warned that fake news could undermine public order. The statement comes amid ongoing online speculation, while President Faustin-Archange Touadéra continues his third term in office following his 2025 re-election.

The Central African Republic military has strongly denied reports circulating online that alleged the existence of a coup plot within its ranks, describing the claims as unfounded and part of a wider wave of misinformation aimed at destabilising the country.

In a detailed statement released by the military high command, the armed forces reaffirmed their full commitment to the constitutional order and to the protection of national institutions. The statement emphasised that the national army remains unified, disciplined, and fully focused on its mandate of defending the territorial integrity of the country and ensuring internal security.

Military officials stressed that there is no evidence of any internal rebellion or coordinated attempt to overthrow the government. They warned that such rumours, if left unchecked, could create unnecessary panic among the population and potentially undermine public confidence in state institutions.

The army further called on citizens to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media platforms, noting that these narratives often emerge from sources seeking to create confusion or exploit political sensitivities. Authorities urged the public to depend exclusively on official communication channels for accurate and verified information regarding national security matters.

The denial comes amid a surge of speculation on social media alleging that elements within the armed forces were plotting against the government. While officials did not directly attribute responsibility for the rumours, they indicated that disinformation campaigns have become a recurring challenge in maintaining public order and political stability.

According to the military, the current security situation across the country remains stable and under control. The general staff reiterated that all units of the armed forces continue to operate under the lawful authority of the state and remain fully engaged in ongoing security operations across various regions.

The statement also highlighted the importance of maintaining unity within the armed forces, particularly at a time when the country continues to face complex security challenges, including armed group activity in certain parts of the territory.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is serving his third term after winning reelection in December 2025, remains the head of state as the government continues efforts to strengthen national institutions and improve stability across the country. His administration has repeatedly emphasised the importance of safeguarding constitutional order and resisting attempts to disrupt governance through misinformation or violence.

In recent months, Central African authorities have intensified their messaging around institutional stability, warning against both physical and informational threats to national peace. Officials have repeatedly highlighted the growing role of digital platforms in spreading rumours, particularly in politically sensitive periods.

Local media outlet Radio Ndeke Luka has also reported that authorities are increasingly concerned about the speed at which unverified claims circulate online, often outpacing official responses and contributing to confusion among citizens.

Security analysts note that countries with histories of political instability are often more vulnerable to rumours of coups or military unrest, especially when communication systems are weak or trust in institutions is limited. In such environments, even unverified claims can quickly gain traction and influence public perception.

Despite these challenges, the military maintains that it remains cohesive and fully aligned with the government. Officials reiterated that their primary focus is on protecting civilians, supporting counter-insurgency efforts, and maintaining order in coordination with other security agencies.

The government has urged calm and continued public cooperation, stating that maintaining stability requires both strong institutions and responsible information sharing by citizens. Authorities also reaffirmed their commitment to addressing misinformation while ensuring transparency in official communication going forward.