BY RUDOLF AGBAI
Ivorian Government Denies Coup Rumours as President Ouattara Chairs Cabinet Meeting
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – May 22, 2025
The presidency of Côte d’Ivoire has firmly denied reports of a military coup, confirming that President Alassane Ouattara presided over a scheduled Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday in Abidjan.
A statement from the Ivorian presidency, accompanied by images of the meeting, affirmed the president’s presence and continued leadership, amid a surge of online speculation suggesting he had been overthrown or killed.
The false rumours, which circulated widely on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok, falsely claimed that military forces had taken control of the country and that Army Chief of Staff Lassina Doumbia had died.
One post alleged that internet access in the country had been disrupted—claims also debunked by Ivorian journalists.
“There is no coup in Côte d’Ivoire. The country is stable,” said Christelle Kouamé, a journalist based in Abidjan and a member of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire. She added that President Ouattara had recently attended the Africa CEO Forum and remained actively involved in governance.
The cabinet meeting addressed critical policy issues, including energy diversification and improved housing infrastructure, underscoring the government’s ongoing focus on domestic development.
This wave of disinformation comes as Côte d’Ivoire prepares to host the African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meetings next week, further fueling speculation over national stability.
The region has seen a string of military coups in recent years—including in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea—raising alarm over democratic backsliding and political instability in West Africa.
Nonetheless, authorities in Abidjan stress that Ivory Coast remains stable and secure.
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