How Did the Ivory Coast Coup Rumor Begin?
On May 21, 2025, at 4:14 am, a post on X (formerly Twitter) declared, “Ivory Coast is burning.” It featured a 57-second video of a large building engulfed in flames, with “Central Commune d’Adjame” visible on the structure and crowds gathered outside. This video alone amassed over 200,000 views, 2,449 likes, 1,160 reposts, and nearly 200 bookmarks. But the post wasn’t an isolated case.
A wave of similar posts emerged across X, Facebook, and TikTok, each portraying violent scenes, armed military personnel, and panicked crowds. These visuals created the illusion of a military coup unfolding in Côte d’Ivoire. Many users in the comments welcomed the idea, with some even advocating for similar uprisings in other African countries.
However, fact-checking platform DUBAWA quickly investigated. By using Google Reverse Image Search on video keyframes, they traced the building fire to an unrelated incident from February 2025. Media outlets had reported a fire as a blaze at the Adjamé Château commercial center. Identical videos appeared on Facebook during the same period.
The alarming realization? This wasn’t just a case of misinformation. It was an organized campaign of digital propaganda designed to deceive the public and spark unrest over an event that never occurred.
Who Was Behind the Disinformation Campaign?
Digging deeper, DUBAWA identified one of the central figures behind the fake coup narrative: Mehmet Vefa Dag (@AFRICANDEMOC), a Turkish-born South African political figure. He leads the Truth & Solidarity Movement, a fringe party in South Africa that promotes anti-establishment views under the guise of advocating for social justice and equality. Despite his rhetoric, he has been accused of inciting hate speech and violence across digital platforms.
Starting May 20, 2025, Mehmet Vefa published multiple posts pushing the coup narrative. He made at least five coup-related posts on X, each tagged “Ivory Coast” and designed to stir anti-government sentiment. He also recycled unrelated and outdated videos, framing them as real-time footage from the alleged uprising.
Even before the fake coup reports surfaced, he had already laid the groundwork. On X, he shared a photo of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara with France’s former President Emmanuel Macron, captioned: “Ivory Coast needs a coup!!!” That post attracted over 1,600 views and comments like “Immediately” and “Asap.”
His campaign didn’t stop with Ivory Coast. He named Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana among other African nations that, in his view, required military takeovers. But as the supposed three-day “Ivory Coast coup” played out online, his propaganda focused heavily on Côte d’Ivoire.
Why Is This Disinformation Campaign Dangerous?
Over the last few years, several West African nations have experienced actual military coups, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These events have weakened democratic institutions across the region and emboldened calls for military intervention elsewhere.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have become powerful tools for those aiming to reshape public perception. They serve as launchpads for narratives glorifying interim military leaders while undermining democratic governance. The spread of false coups not only confuses the public but can incite fear, unrest, and even violence in politically fragile states.
The Ivory Coast episode highlights how coordinated disinformation can exploit historical grievances and current instability to fan the flames of rebellion. It also underscores the urgent need for stronger content moderation and digital literacy in Africa.
What Comes Next for Côte d’Ivoire?
Despite the fictional nature of this “coup,” the impact was real. Thousands of people saw and interacted with false content. Many believed it. And some called for real action based on fake news.
While DUBAWA and other fact-checkers work to verify and debunk viral claims, the responsibility also lies with platforms and users. As Côte d’Ivoire continues to navigate its political future, it must also guard against the threat of digital manipulation that could erode trust in its institutions.
By Yockshard Enyendi. Source: DAIDAC