Abidjan plunges into chaos amid suspected coup attempt

Panic has gripped Ivory Coast’s economic capital, Abidjan, as the city descends into violent unrest amid unconfirmed reports of a possible military coup or nationwide uprising.

Over the last 48 hours, heavy gunfire, internet shutdowns, and clashes between armed factions and security forces have turned parts of the city into war zones.

At least 33 people have been reported dead as sporadic yet intense gun battles erupted around key government installations and military barracks in neighborhoods such as Plateau, Cocody, and Yopougon.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with civilians ducking for cover as armored vehicles patrolled major roads and unidentified armed groups exchanged fire with government forces.

“We’ve been hearing shots all night. The electricity went off, and now we can’t even call anyone,” said Awa Koné, a teacher in Yopougon. “People are terrified and just want to survive.”

Before the reported internet blackout, videos circulating on social media showed soldiers deploying aggressively through Abidjan, while plumes of smoke rose from government compounds.

Fueling national anxiety is the mystery surrounding President Alassane Ouattara, who has not been seen or heard from since the unrest began.

With national television and radio stations off air, rumors have surged online—some claiming he has been arrested, killed, or has fled the country. None of these claims have been verified, and the presidency has remained silent, further deepening concerns of a leadership vacuum.

“The absence of any official statement at this critical hour is extremely troubling,” said Dr. Henri Kouadio, a political analyst at the University of Bouaké. “It suggests either a breakdown in command or a deliberate information freeze.”

Multiple international cyber-monitoring organizations and residents confirm that internet access has been cut off across most of the country. Local and foreign media outlets have also reported signal blackouts, severely restricting the flow of verified information.

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Foreign correspondents are operating under increasing threat, with some reportedly forced to evacuate or go into hiding. Independent news agencies describe the current media environment as the most dangerous since the post-election violence of 2010–2011.

In recent protests, demonstrators have carried Ivorian flags and chanted slogans against “neocolonial occupation” and state corruption.

“The people feel abandoned by their leaders and betrayed by foreign allies,” said Fatou Diarra, a civil society leader. “This uprising is not just about politics. It’s about dignity, independence, and survival.”

Many now fear the current situation could spiral into another civil war, especially if the military fractures along political or ethnic lines.

Several foreign embassies in Abidjan have issued shelter-in-place directives to their citizens, while some have begun limited evacuations.

Though formal responses from international bodies like the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS remain pending, regional powers such as Nigeria and Ghana are reportedly monitoring events through their embassies and diplomatic channels.

“This is a litmus test for West Africa’s fragile stability,” said Dr. Kwame Mensah, a regional security expert in Accra. “If Ivory Coast collapses, it will send shockwaves across the entire continent.”

In the absence of verified updates, unconfirmed reports of military defections, presidential palace takeovers, and foreign evacuations are spreading rapidly across social media platforms and messaging apps.

Experts warn that the proliferation of disinformation and psychological warfare tactics could escalate an already volatile situation.

The turmoil in Ivory Coast comes on the heels of a series of coups across West Africa—including in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger—where anti-colonial sentiment and calls for sovereign governance have surged.

Analysts suggest Abidjan may now be the next flashpoint in a continental realignment driven by nationalism, youth frustration, and disillusionment with global power structures.

“We are witnessing the possible unraveling of the post-colonial order in West Africa,” said Professor Angela Bayo, a political historian at the University of Dakar. “Whether this leads to democracy or deeper instability depends on what happens in the coming days.”