Ivory Coast’s government has swiftly moved to dispel swirling rumors of a military coup, sparked by viral claims on social media platforms.
On Thursday, May 22, President Alassane Ouattara made a visible public appearance, presiding over a cabinet meeting in Abidjan, as officials pushed back against the false narrative.
In recent days, social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok were flooded with alarming, unverified reports—ranging from alleged gunfire and chaos to claims of the army chief’s death and President Ouattara’s supposed disappearance or abduction. There were even mentions of a media blackout and widespread civil unrest.
However, these claims were strongly countered by the presidency, which shared official photos and statements confirming President Ouattara’s active role in government. Journalists on the ground also rejected the rumors as baseless, reaffirming the country’s stability. “There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable,” one local journalist emphasized.
As for speculation about internet outages, while some social media posts claimed a shutdown, there’s been no independent confirmation from reputable global news outlets or internet monitoring agencies. Notably, past disruptions—such as those caused by undersea cable damage in March 2024—were technical, not politically motivated.
The incident underscores how quickly misinformation can spread in a politically charged atmosphere. With presidential elections looming in October 2025, tensions are high. Political discourse is dominated by debates over whether Ouattara will seek another term, and legal battles involving prominent opposition figure Tidjane Thiam. These dynamics create fertile ground for disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public confidence and stirring unrest.
The government’s rapid response—bringing Ouattara into the public eye—is a calculated effort to restore calm and maintain control of the narrative.
Still, the resilience of these false rumors reveals deeper societal anxieties and the uphill battle authorities face in countering politically weaponized misinformation in the digital era. As international observers keep a close watch, transparency and democratic integrity remain key priorities on Ivory Coast’s path to the 2025 elections.
