Coup Rumours in Ivory Coast as President Resurfaces

Ivory Coast was gripped by tension and speculation over the weekend following widespread rumours of a coup and the temporary disappearance of President Alassane Ouattara from the public eye. The capital city, Abidjan, saw a wave of confusion and unease after unverified reports suggested a power grab might be underway.

Gunfire was reportedly heard in parts of the capital late Friday, triggering chaos and speculation. In a climate of fear, residents turned to social media and word-of-mouth to make sense of the unfolding situation.

Ivory cost

The situation escalated as several media outlets reported that President Ouattara’s whereabouts were unknown. This vacuum of information intensified public anxiety, prompting questions about the country’s political stability. “There is panic in Abidjan. No one is sure what’s really going on,” said a resident who requested anonymity.

Online posts fuelled the speculation, with some claiming that a group of disgruntled soldiers had taken over parts of Abidjan. As fear spread, businesses shuttered early and traffic thinned in key parts of the city.

Tell Magazine reported: “Abidjan, the economic capital, was on edge as heavy gunfire rattled the night skies. Citizens feared the worst – a possible military takeover.”

Despite the anxiety, government officials moved to quash the rumours. Presidential sources and the Ivorian military denied any coup attempt. In a move to restore calm, the government released photos and a statement on Monday showing President Ouattara presiding over a cabinet meeting, signaling a return to normalcy.

BusinessDay confirmed: “President Alassane Ouattara chaired a cabinet meeting on Monday, quelling rumours of a coup and confirming he remains in charge of the country.”

Still, the delay in communication has sparked criticism. Civil society leaders and political commentators questioned why the presidency allowed speculation to fester before issuing a formal statement.

The Tanzanian Times added to the uncertainty earlier in the crisis, reporting: “There were strong doubts regarding President Ouattara’s location, with no official word for over 48 hours.”

While calm has since been restored and the coup rumours officially debunked, the episode has reignited debate around government transparency and the fragility of political trust in the region. For now, Ivory Coast appears stable — but the weekend’s events have left a lingering question mark over how secure that stability truly is.