Congo: General Mokoko hot over coup claims

A Congolese General, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is to answer to claims of an attempted coup.

Afrikatv.net had published a video in which Jean-Marie Mokoko, a presidential candidate for the March elections, was discussing plans to overthrow President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

But General Mokoko says the video is not current. According to him, the video was from 2003 and questioned how it was now making news in 2016 on the day he formalized his candidacy.

A government source however who spoke to Africanews however challenged the General’s assertion that the video was from 2003.

He however said what was important was for General Mokoko to ‘calm down’ and tell the people of Congo if he intended at some point to murder officers and set up a transitional government.

Security officials have since surrounded Mokoko’s residence.

Congolese authorities were said to be aware of the existence of the video.

General Mokoko confirmed on Saturday that he would be contesting the presidential election in March.

In a packed hall in Brazzaville, he told his followers that the constant deterioration of the state at all its foundations and the gaping social divide among Congolese moved him to take the decision.

Formerly close to the Congolese Head of State, General Mokoko early this month resigned from his position as an adviser to the President on peace and security issues.