The Ivorian government has firmly denied recent rumors of a military coup, labeling them as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign. Speculation about a coup began circulating on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), with posts alleging that President Alassane Ouattara had been overthrown or had disappeared.
In response, the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI) issued a statement on May 23, asserting that the coup claims were “completely unfounded” and the result of deliberate misinformation efforts . Fact-checking organizations corroborated this, confirming that President Ouattara was actively engaged in official duties, including presiding over a cabinet meeting on May 21 .
The spread of these false reports coincides with a politically charged atmosphere in Ivory Coast. The upcoming presidential election, scheduled for October 25, 2025, has heightened tensions, especially following the disqualification of prominent opposition figure Tidjane Thiam over citizenship technicalities . Additionally, discussions about President Ouattara potentially seeking a fourth term have sparked debates, given the constitutional two-term limit and a 2016 amendment that reset term counts .
Analysts suggest that the proliferation of coup rumors may reflect deeper societal anxieties and a growing distrust in political institutions. The situation underscores the challenges Ivory Coast faces in maintaining political stability and public confidence as it approaches a critical electoral period.
