President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire on Wednesday presided over a council of ministers meeting at the presidential palace in Abidjan, effectively debunking widespread rumors of a military coup that had circulated across social media platforms.

The Ivorian presidency released a statement confirming Ouattara's attendance, accompanied by photographs showing the president and cabinet members actively participating in the meeting. During the session, officials discussed key national issues including the diversification of electricity sources and adequate housing for citizens.

False information claiming a military takeover spread rapidly across multiple social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and several mainstream media outlets. One X user even claimed that Ouattara may have been killed after military forces allegedly took control on Tuesday, while also falsely reporting that internet access in the country had been disrupted.

According to Facebook metrics, approximately 9,700 users discussed the alleged coup on that platform alone as of Wednesday. The rumors also falsely claimed that Lassina Doumbia, the chief of army staff, had died.

Christelle Kouamé, an Ivorian journalist living in Abidjan and member of the executive council of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d'Ivoire, categorically denied the reports. "There is no coup in Côte d'Ivoire. The country is stable," she stated.

Kouamé further noted that President Ouattara had recently attended the opening of the Africa CEO Forum just last week, adding, "It is fake news. People do what they want with the internet. But it is thanks to the internet that I speak to you," directly contradicting claims of internet disruption in the country.

The timing of these rumors is particularly significant as Côte d'Ivoire prepares to host the African Development Bank's (AfDB) annual meetings next week, where officials will elect a new president to succeed Akinwumi Adesina, who has completed two terms.

Coup rumors have become increasingly common across West Africa, a region that has witnessed successful military takeovers in several countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea in recent years. These developments have fueled speculation and anxiety in neighboring states about potential political instability.

The swift debunking of these rumors by official channels and independent journalists highlights the importance of verifying information in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly across digital platforms.