Claims of a military coup in Ivory Coast have been firmly denied, following a flurry of misleading reports that went viral across social media platforms.
The rumours—ranging from gunfire in the capital to the alleged death of President Alassane Ouattara—were swiftly debunked by government officials and local journalists.
On Thursday, May 22, President Ouattara was publicly seen presiding over a council of ministers meeting at the presidential palace in Abidjan. This high-profile appearance served as a direct rebuttal to unfounded claims of his disappearance or a government overthrow.
False reports, primarily circulated via X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok since May 19, painted a chaotic picture that included the killing of the army chief and a national media blackout. However, the Ivorian presidency countered these claims by releasing photos and statements confirming the president’s active role in leading the cabinet meeting.
Local journalists on the ground have also dismissed the coup speculation. “There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable,” said Christelle Kouamé, a well-known Ivorian reporter.
Although the West African nation has experienced political unrest in the past—including a coup in 1999 and post-election violence in 2010–2011—it has recently enjoyed a stretch of relative calm and economic progress. The spike in disinformation comes as the country gears up for its critical October 2025 presidential election, a period that often sees political tensions rise.
While officials have yet to identify the source of the rumours, their rapid dismissal by verified voices underscores both the government’s control and the dangers of online misinformation. Topics addressed at the cabinet meeting reportedly included housing development and expanding electricity access.
