Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin Archange Touadéra has undergone routine medical examinations in Brussels, according to a statement from the presidency, dismissing reports of an emergency hospitalization.
Presidency spokesperson Maxime Balalou told reporters on Monday that the 68-year-old president traveled to Belgium for standard health checks ahead of his scheduled participation in the Gavi vaccine alliance summit.
“He went for what we call a check-up — routine medical tests,” Balalou said, adding that speculation suggesting the president was seriously ill is unfounded.
“There have been many rumors about the president’s health, but he is in very good condition,” Balalou affirmed, confirming Touadéra’s expected attendance at the summit on Wednesday.
In the Central African capital Bangui, several political sources speaking anonymously described the president’s health as a sensitive issue not openly discussed in public forums.
Touadéra has served as president since 2016, following a period of civil conflict and international intervention. While a 2019 peace agreement brought relative stability to urban centers, parts of the countryside remain affected by sporadic violence.