President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire presided over a council of ministers meeting at the presidential palace in Abidjan, effectively debunking widespread rumors of a military coup and his alleged death.
The Ivorian presidency released an official statement confirming Ouattara’s attendance, accompanied by photographs showing the president alongside key cabinet members during the high-level meeting.
Key issues discussed included diversifying the country’s electricity sources and expanding access to adequate housing for citizens.
The president’s appearance came amid a wave of unverified reports on social media claiming that the military had seized power and that both President Ouattara and Army Chief Lassina Doumbia had been killed.
These rumors quickly gained traction across platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok, sparking online panic.
However, Ivorian journalist Christelle Kouamé dismissed the claims as misinformation, stating, “There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable.” Kouamé also debunked reports of internet disruptions, saying, “It is fake news. People do what they want with the internet. But it is thanks to the internet that I speak to you” ².
The speculation in Côte d’Ivoire comes just days before the country is set to host the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) annual meetings, where a new president is expected to be elected to succeed Akinwumi Adesina, who has completed two terms.
The region has experienced increased anxiety due to recent military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, but Ouattara’s public appearance aimed to reassure citizens and discredit the viral misinformation.
