In May, residents of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, were alarmed by alarming messages questioning their safety amidst rumors of a coup. This situation was further amplified by misleading social media posts showcasing soldiers on the streets and AI-generated news reports raking in millions of views on platforms like YouTube. Yet, these claims were entirely fabricated.
Experts suggest that the rise of disinformation about coups signals a troubling trend in West Africa, particularly as the country heads towards presidential elections later this year. Concerns are intensifying around President Alassane Ouattarra's impending fourth term, where critics accuse him of aligning too closely with Western interests, fueling further discontent within the nation's political milieu.
Ivorian Communications Minister Amadou Coulibaly indicated that the origin of these false claims was traced to "neighbouring countries," hinting at tensions with Burkina Faso. The spread of this misinformation has largely been propelled by self-styled pan-Africanist influencers who reject Western alliances and rally public support for figures like Burkina Faso's military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré. Both Traoré and these influencers aim to champion a narrative of African autonomy, often questioning the efficiency of existing political leaders.
As disinformation infiltrates various social platforms, it poses risks to the foundations of political trust in nations like Ivory Coast. Analysts have compared the tactics of these influencers to those tied to Russian influence operations in French-speaking West Africa, noting that while there’s no direct evidence of external interference, the alignment of narratives is concerning.
The rift between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, extending back over a year, saw accusations from Traoré's regime directed at Ivory Coast for harboring dissidents. Recently, social media commentary ignited discourse on potential coup plots, with influencers like Harouna Sawadogo from Burkina Faso leading an early wave of disinformation through TikTok, garnering significant audience engagement.
Another influencer, South African Mehmet Vefa Dag, contributed to the frenzy across platforms, even incorrectly declaring a coup had occurred while steadfastly supporting perceived revolutionary movements against Ouattarra. He emblemizes a contingent that romanticizes military governments, swaying young audiences disenchanted with traditional political structures.
Across the region, notably among youth, there appears to be both support and desire for leaders promising developmental changes. However, misinformation propagation raises alarms as it distorts public perception and undermines institutional credibility. As the October elections near, the ramifications of these narratives increase anxieties about unrest and instability.
Despite calls for accountability echoing through the continent, many influencers exploit these platforms for personal gain, risking the well-being of societies they claim to advocate for. This underscores a broader theme of the struggle for agency in African narratives, revealing a complex interplay between digital influence, public sentiment, and the political landscape.
With the election nearing, the ongoing tension highlights the critical need for responsible information dissemination amidst a rapidly changing socio-political climate.
