President Ouattara appears publicly, quells coup rumours in Côte d’Ivoire

The President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, made a public appearance on Wednesday, leading a council of ministers meeting in Abidjan, effectively putting to rest widespread rumours of a coup and false reports of his death.

The Ivorian presidency released photos showing Ouattara with top government officials at the high-level gathering held at the presidential palace.

Key issues discussed included strategies to diversify the country’s electricity sources and improve citizens’ access to housing. The president’s public presence came after a surge of unverified claims on social media that alleged a military takeover and reported deaths of both Ouattara and Army Chief Lassina Doumbia.

These rumours quickly spread across platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and some traditional media, causing widespread anxiety. However, there were no official signs of unrest from the military or security forces. Journalists based in Abidjan dismissed the reports as baseless.

“There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable,” said Christelle Kouamé, a journalist and executive member of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire. She confirmed that President Ouattara had recently attended public events, including the Africa CEO Forum and Wednesday’s council meeting. Kouamé also denied internet blackout claims, describing them as “fake news,” noting, “It is thanks to the internet that I’m speaking to you.”

This development occurs as West Africa continues to face multiple military coups in recent years, with countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger under military rule, increasing regional tensions.

Côte d’Ivoire’s scare emerged just days ahead of hosting the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) annual meetings, where a new president is expected to be chosen to succeed Akinwumi Adesina after his two-term leadership.