The presidency of Côte d’Ivoire has dismissed circulating rumours of a military coup after President Alassane Ouattara presided over a cabinet meeting in Abidjan, the capital, on Wednesday. The government confirmed the meeting through an official statement and shared pictures showing Ouattara alongside cabinet ministers, refuting claims that a military takeover had occurred.
The rumours of a coup spread quickly across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok, with some users falsely claiming that the president had been killed and that military forces had seized control of the country. A specific post on X even claimed that “internet access in the country has been disrupted,” further fuelling the panic.
However, Ivorian journalists in the country quickly debunked the rumours. Christelle Kouamé, an Abidjan-based journalist and member of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire, clarified that there had been no coup in the country and that the president had attended the council of ministers meeting as usual. “There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable,” Kouamé confirmed in an interview, also noting that Ouattara had been present at the recent Africa CEO Forum and had attended a council meeting on Wednesday.
Kouamé added that the claim of internet disruption was also false, stating, “It is fake news. People do what they want with the internet. But it is thanks to the internet that I speak to you.” This statement directly addressed the false narrative of widespread communication blackouts.
The false coup rumours came at a time of growing political uncertainty in West Africa, where several neighbouring countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, have experienced military takeovers in recent years. These developments have fueled public fears and speculations about the stability of other nations in the region, including Côte d’Ivoire.
The country is also preparing to host the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) annual meetings next week, where officials will elect a new president to succeed Akinwumi Adesina, who has served two terms. The election and the growing attention on the country’s stability have made the rumours of a coup even more concerning to the public.
Despite these fears, the Ivorian government has reassured citizens and the international community that the country remains stable and that the government is in control. The rapid spread of false information highlights the growing challenge of misinformation, particularly in politically sensitive regions.
As Côte d’Ivoire continues its preparations for the AfDB meetings, authorities are calling for greater vigilance against fake news and urging the public to rely on credible sources for information. The government’s swift response to the coup rumours serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining calm and avoiding the spread of panic during periods of political uncertainty.
