In response to a flurry of unfounded rumours about a military coup and his alleged demise, President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire made a prominent public appearance on Wednesday, chairing a council of ministers meeting in Abidjan.
Photos released by the presidency captured Ouattara with members of his cabinet during the high-level meeting, where discussions focused on boosting electricity diversity and tackling housing challenges across the country.
False reports of a military coup and the death of key state figures circulated widely across social media and even infiltrated mainstream news channels. Platforms such as Facebook logged thousands of engagements on the topic, sparking confusion among citizens.
However, security forces and government bodies offered no confirmation of any unrest. Instead, Ouattara’s visible leadership appeared aimed at reassuring the public and discrediting the online disinformation.
Journalists stationed in Abidjan, including Christelle Kouamé, affirmed that the country was peaceful and stable.
Kouamé emphasized that the president’s schedule had remained uninterrupted, including his recent participation in the Africa CEO Forum.
“There’s no coup. Everything is normal here. Even the internet is functioning well,” she stated, rejecting claims of a digital blackout.
The resurgence of coup rumours in Côte d’Ivoire mirrors a larger trend in West Africa, where recent years have seen military takeovers destabilize nations such as Guinea and Niger.
The latest incident in Abidjan comes just before the African Development Bank’s annual summit, where a new president is set to be elected.