In May, the largest city in Ivory Coast, Abidjan, was buzzing with distress as social media filled with alarming reports of a coup underway. This wave of misinformation, while prompting concern among locals and those abroad, including statements of safety inquiries to residents, has been linked to a growing trend of disinformation propagated by self-proclaimed pan-Africanist influencers.
The rumors coincided with a surge of actual protests related to the upcoming presidential elections later in the year. Nonetheless, on 19 May, claims regarding military actions and unrest were revealed to be unfounded. Misleading videos portraying soldiers and dramatic scenes circulated wildly on platforms like YouTube, misleading both local and global audiences.
Experts suggest that this surge of disinformation is not random but part of a deliberate effort to undermine trust in existing political systems, particularly aimed at the pro-Western narrative surrounding President Alassane Ouattara, who faces criticism for his policies and international alliances. Communications Minister Amadou Coulibaly indicated that investigations traced the origin of the coup narratives to neighboring countries without specifying details.
The intoxicating dynamic is found in the promotion of figures such as Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, a military leader embraced by many young Africans who perceive him as standing against Western influence. Social media influencers are harnessing pan-African rhetoric to challenge mainstream narratives, all while generating engagement and followers.
Some analysts have likened these disinformation efforts to tactics utilized by foreign players, though direct evidence of external influence, such as Russian operations, remains unestablished. Nonetheless, connections to the Wagner Group's purported activities in neighboring areas have raised concerns about the ripple effects of misinformation across the region.
The reports of a coup grew amidst a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with accusations back and forth regarding destabilization plots and harboring dissenters from both sides. Pro-government activists in Burkina Faso even called for an uprising, leveraging their digital platforms to promote chaos.
Digital content creators Martin Vefa Dag and Harouna Sawadogo emerged as key figures propagating these stories, with videos garnering hundreds of thousands of views while appealing to a nascent desire for revolutionary changes in governance across the continent—despite the lack of factual basis to their claims.
Though some influencers claim pan-Africanist ideals, many are criticized for romanticizing military rule under the guise of collective liberation while capitalizing on the ensuing turmoil. Consequently, their narratives often resonate with disenfranchised youth eager for transformative leadership.
Despite the apparent allure of these influences, many in Ivory Coast and elsewhere report real anxiety stemming from these tumultuous calls for political upheaval. As upcoming elections draw closer, the persistent echoes of these disinformation campaigns serve as a stark reminder of the fragile state of trust and the volatile nature of political discourse in West Africa.
