In May, a wave of panic swept through Ivory Coast as social media began echoing unfounded rumors of a coup, sending shockwaves not only through Abidjan but also to international friends of its residents. Dramatic videos purportedly depicting military action circulated extensively, many of them amplified by AI-generated content and influencers racking up millions of views across various platforms, including YouTube.
Mafalda Marchioro, a management consultant living in Abidjan, recalled the surge of concern from friends who reached out to ensure her safety, revealing the powerful impact of misinformation on public sentiment. However, these coup claims proved false—a troubling trend as West Africa grapples with growing political instability marked by actual military takeovers.
As Ivory Coast prepares for presidential elections slated for later this year, experts suggest that the nation, perceived as pro-Western under President Alassane Ouattarra's leadership, has become a target for disinformation attacks intended to undermine the electoral process. Critics suspect that narratives crafted by these influencers, who challenge Ivory Coast’s ties to France and the West, seek to destabilize trust in the political climate leading up to the elections.
Ivory Coast's sharp political divide with neighboring Burkina Faso further fuels these rumors, particularly bolstered by influencers who tout support for Burkina Faso’s coup leader Ibrahim Traoré. These self-identified pan-Africanists cultivate an anti-Western sentiment, promoting Traoré as a beacon of African sovereignty against imperial influence.
Amadou Coulibaly, Ivory Coast's Communications Minister, indicated that investigations traced the origins of these fabrications to "neighboring countries," hinting at potential collusion with voices opposing Ouattarra. The spread of misinformation has been amplified by social media platforms, with explicit ties to distrust and discontent with current leadership.
Recent statistics indicate that rumors were initially propagated by a pro-government activist in Burkina Faso, utilizing TikTok and other platforms to solicit support for an imagined coup, subsequently reaching a broader audience across English-speaking nations. This unverified content posed as credible news, inciting discussions among young Africans disillusioned with established political structures.
What’s troubling is that the allure of pan-Africanism is sometimes co-opted for personal gain, as influencers monetize sensational narratives while potentially endangering political stability. Public opinions expressed in comment sections reflect a desire for change, but often feed into an anxious atmosphere, particularly amidst a volatile electoral period.
Despite no concrete evidence connecting Russian influence to these rumors, analysts remain vigilant, given past associations with disinformation campaigns in the region. Critics argue that these influencers are not genuine advocates of pan-Africanism but opportunistic community figures distorting realities for clout.
As tensions build in Ivory Coast, the collective impact of disinformation and misinformation fosters a climate of fear that echoes throughout the broader West African landscape, challenging both the integrity of civic dialogue and the security of the nations involved.
