President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire made a public appearance on Wednesday to preside over a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Abidjan, putting to rest widespread coup rumors and false reports of his death.
The Ivorian presidency released an official statement confirming President Ouattara’s participation, accompanied by photographs showing him alongside key cabinet members during the high-level council of ministers meeting.
During the meeting, critical national issues were discussed, including the diversification of electricity sources and improved access to affordable housing for citizens.
The president’s public appearance came in response to a surge of unverified social media reports claiming that the military had seized power and that both President Ouattara and the Army Chief, Lassina Doumbia, had been killed.
These rumors gained rapid traction across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and even some mainstream media outlets, sparking widespread panic. According to Facebook analytics, more than 9,700 users had engaged in conversations about the alleged coup by Wednesday.
Despite the online uproar, there has been no official indication of military unrest or security breaches in Côte d’Ivoire.
The timing of President Ouattara’s appearance appeared to be a calculated move to reassure the public, reaffirm national stability, and discredit the viral misinformation.
According to a report by TheCable, the coup allegations in Côte d’Ivoire are entirely false. Journalists based in the country confirmed that there is no truth to the rumors.
“There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable,” said Christelle Kouamé, a respected Ivorian journalist based in Abidjan.
Kouamé, a member of both the Executive Council of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire and the Organisation of Investigative Journalists in Côte d’Ivoire, firmly debunked the claims as fabricated disinformation.
“The president recently attended the opening of the Africa CEO Forum, and he presided over a council of ministers meeting today,” she added.
Regarding rumors of internet disruptions, Kouamé clarified that there had been no such issues.
“It is fake news. People say whatever they want about the internet. But here I am, speaking with you through the internet,” she said.
The surge in coup-related misinformation reflects a broader pattern seen across West Africa, where several countries—Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea—have recently experienced successful military takeovers. These events have deepened public anxiety and shaken confidence in civilian leadership across the region.
The timing of the false coup rumors is particularly notable as Côte d’Ivoire is preparing to host the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings, where a new president will be elected to succeed Akinwumi Adesina, who has completed two terms.
As the country braces for this major international event, President Ouattara’s visibility and leadership remain central to reinforcing confidence in the nation’s democratic stability.