An information published on social media on June 15, 2022, claimed that a Sudanese cargo plane was stranded on the tarmac at Bangui M’poko Airport due to a fuel shortage. After verification with the Sudanese Embassy in Bangui, the airport authorities, and the Ministry of Defense, this information was found to be not only false but also accompanied by an image taken out of context.
The information, published on the Corbeau News Centrafrique website, claimed that a Sudanese cargo plane was stranded, as stated in the post’s caption: “Fuel crisis in Central Africa, a Sudanese cargo blocked on the tarmac of Bangui M’poko airport for two days.”
The Association of Central African Fact-checkers (AFC) investigated this information. Responses from the airport indicated that no Sudanese cargo plane was blocked in Bangui due to a fuel issue, as confirmed by a direct observation made by our Fact-checker journalist.
According to the Sudanese Embassy in Central Africa, it was a misinterpretation of the facts.
The Sudanese Embassy, through its chargé d’affaires, clarified: “This is a misinterpretation of the facts. The cargo did not stay in Bangui for two days, and the reason was not related to a fuel issue. When the plane leaves Sudan, it refuels there before departure. The delay was due to a technical issue related to the takeoff and landing schedule at Nialla Airport in Sudan.”
Hydrocarbon exploitation is already advanced in these two countries, according to the Ministry of Defense.
We also contacted the Ministry of Defense through its communication section spokesperson, who rejected this allegation, explaining that it was part of a tripartite agreement between the CAR, Sudan, and Chad. Hydrocarbon exploitation is already advanced in these two countries, so they do not need to refuel in the Central African Republic.
Why is the image out of context?
Using the Yandex image verification tool, the results show that the image actually depicts Central African soldiers boarding for training in Russia on April 1, 2021.
In summary, in the current context of the fuel shortage in the Central African Republic, a post claimed that a Sudanese cargo plane was grounded on the tarmac at Bangui M’poko Airport due to this issue. After verification by AFC, the claim was found to be false and accompanied by an image taken out of context.
By Cynthia Sangbate / AFC
