Côte d’Ivoire Debunks Coup Rumors Amid Cabinet Meeting
President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire presided over a council of ministers meeting on Wednesday at the presidential palace in Abidjan, firmly dispelling widespread Côte d’Ivoire coup rumors that circulated online.
The Ivorian presidency released an official statement along with photos showing President Ouattara actively engaging with cabinet members during the meeting. While discussions covered key topics such as the diversification of electricity sources and affordable housing, false claims of a military takeover were rapidly spreading across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok.
One viral post falsely alleged that President Ouattara had been assassinated and claimed military forces had seized control, stating: “Internet access in the country has been disrupted.” The misleading post was shared thousands of times, with Facebook metrics showing nearly 9,700 users engaging in discussions about the alleged coup.
Additional disinformation included claims that the chief of army staff, Lassina Doumbia, had died—an assertion also proven false.
In response to the rumors, Ivorian journalist Christelle Kouamé, based in Abidjan, affirmed the nation’s political stability:
“There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable.”
Kouamé, who sits on the executive council of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire, added that Ouattara had recently attended the Africa CEO Forum and again appeared publicly during the cabinet meeting. She dismissed the internet blackout claims as “fake news.”
The rapid spread of Côte d’Ivoire coup rumors highlights a troubling trend in West Africa, where recent military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have fostered regional unease and eroded trust in democratic institutions.
Ivory Coast’s latest brush with misinformation comes just days before it hosts the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) annual meetings, where a new president will be elected to succeed Akinwumi Adesina.
Conclusion:
Despite viral online speculation, Côte d’Ivoire remains politically stable, with President Ouattara firmly in control. Authorities and journalists urge the public to verify information and resist the influence of social media misinformation.
References:
- The Cable
- X Social Metrics
- Facebook Data Insights
- [National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire]
- Africa CEO Forum
