In May, panic swept through Ivory Coast as social media exploded with false claims of a coup. Friends reached out to management consultant Mafalda Marchioro, questioning her safety in the capital, Abidjan. Footage of soldiers and AI-generated reports flooded platforms, garnering millions of views. However, these allegations were entirely fabricated.
Experts warn this incident reflects growing trends of disinformation linked to the tense political landscape in West Africa, where military takeovers have surged. With presidential elections approaching, some believe President Alassane Ouattarra's pro-Western stance makes him a target for this misinformation, particularly by self-styled pan-Africanist influencers advocating for strong, independent African leadership.
Ivory Coast's Communications Minister Amadou Coulibaly traced the origin of this false information to neighboring countries but did not confirm specifics. The rumors seem linked to past frictions with Burkina Faso, where influencers openly support military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who has garnered a following across the continent.
Analysis by experts reveals that influencers are intentionally sowing doubt in existing political systems, capitalizing on desires for more assertive leadership. While some of these misinformation campaigns resemble tactics used by pro-Russian groups, no clear evidence links Russia to the recent coup rumors in Ivory Coast.
Promoters of these false narratives, like Harouna Sawadogo and South African activist Mehmet Vefa Dag, attempted to fuel fears by capitalizing on existing tensions. Despite the lack of evidence for a coup, their claims resonated with a young audience disillusioned with current political realities.
As the elections approach, calls for the overthrow of the Ivorian government threaten escalating tensions. A BBC analysis tracked how quickly misinformation regarding the coup spread across platforms, calling attention to an emerging demand for change in African leadership, alongside a cautionary note about the potential consequences of such divisive online practices.
Experts warn this incident reflects growing trends of disinformation linked to the tense political landscape in West Africa, where military takeovers have surged. With presidential elections approaching, some believe President Alassane Ouattarra's pro-Western stance makes him a target for this misinformation, particularly by self-styled pan-Africanist influencers advocating for strong, independent African leadership.
Ivory Coast's Communications Minister Amadou Coulibaly traced the origin of this false information to neighboring countries but did not confirm specifics. The rumors seem linked to past frictions with Burkina Faso, where influencers openly support military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who has garnered a following across the continent.
Analysis by experts reveals that influencers are intentionally sowing doubt in existing political systems, capitalizing on desires for more assertive leadership. While some of these misinformation campaigns resemble tactics used by pro-Russian groups, no clear evidence links Russia to the recent coup rumors in Ivory Coast.
Promoters of these false narratives, like Harouna Sawadogo and South African activist Mehmet Vefa Dag, attempted to fuel fears by capitalizing on existing tensions. Despite the lack of evidence for a coup, their claims resonated with a young audience disillusioned with current political realities.
As the elections approach, calls for the overthrow of the Ivorian government threaten escalating tensions. A BBC analysis tracked how quickly misinformation regarding the coup spread across platforms, calling attention to an emerging demand for change in African leadership, alongside a cautionary note about the potential consequences of such divisive online practices.
