Tension in Ivory Coast as Coup Rumours Spread Amid President’s Disappearance

Unrest has gripped Ivory Coast as speculation of a coup or major uprising intensifies, particularly in the capital, Abidjan, where heavy gunfire has been reported. Eyewitnesses and social media posts describe a chaotic and rapidly evolving situation on the ground.

Over the past 48 hours, at least 33 people have reportedly been killed during violent clashes in key areas of Abidjan. The violence follows mounting frustration with President Alassane Ouattara’s administration, which faces accusations of human rights violations, worsening poverty, and maintaining overly close ties with France.

Protesters have taken to the streets, accusing the government of serving foreign interests—particularly France and the United States—while expressing alarm at the growing presence of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in the region.

Amid the chaos, there is growing concern about the whereabouts of President Ouattara. Unconfirmed reports suggest he may be missing, detained, or possibly dead, though the government has yet to release any official statement. Meanwhile, internet access has been reportedly cut off in parts of the country, and government officials have remained largely out of sight.

Despite the speculation, fact-checkers have flagged circulating videos and posts as unverified or misleading, noting that there is no concrete evidence of a successful military coup at this time.

Foreign embassies and international organisations have urged their citizens in Ivory Coast to stay indoors as the situation remains volatile.

This latest unrest adds to a long history of instability in the West African nation, which has previously seen a coup in 1999, civil wars between 2002 and 2007 and again from 2010 to 2011, as well as a military mutiny in 2017.