Gunfire, Chaos and Coup Rumours: Ivory Coast on the Brink as Uprising Rocks Abidjan

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – Panic and uncertainty have engulfed the Ivorian capital as heavy gunfire echoed through Abidjan amid what appears to be a violent uprising or the early stages of a military coup. The situation remains fluid and highly volatile, with social media flooded with unverified reports of deaths, defections, and possible regime collapse.

Over the past 48 hours, at least 33 people are feared dead, as clashes erupted between unidentified armed factions and loyalist forces across key districts in the capital. The unrest has plunged the West African nation into a state of near-total communication blackout, with internet access reportedly cut nationwide and traditional media silenced.

There has been no public appearance or statement from President Alassane Ouattara since the violence began. Speculation is running rife that the 82-year-old leader is either in hiding, under arrest, or worse. X (formerly Twitter) user Mehmet Vefa Dag, known for monitoring global conflict zones, has gone as far as to suggest the president may be dead—though this remains unconfirmed.

While the government’s silence deepens the mystery, the root causes of the unrest are sharply coming into focus. Protesters and dissidents accuse the Ouattara administration of orchestrating human rights abuses, overseeing a growing wealth gap, and maintaining neocolonial ties with France. The presence of foreign military forces, including the recent ramp-up of U.S. AFRICOM operations in the region, has further fueled nationalist outrage.

“This is a people’s rebellion against both local repression and foreign domination,” one anonymous source posted before going offline amid the blackout. “Ivory Coast is tired.”

The current crisis is the latest in a series of traumatic events that have punctuated Ivory Coast’s recent history. The country experienced a coup in 1999, two brutal civil wars in the 2000s, and a mutiny within the army as recently as 2017. Today’s uprising bears chilling similarities to those earlier episodes, prompting fears that the country is once again teetering on the edge of civil war.

International organizations and foreign embassies have reportedly entered emergency mode, urging citizens to stay indoors and avoid all movement. Regional observers are also closely monitoring events, wary that instability in one of West Africa’s largest economies could ripple across borders, threatening an already fragile Sahel region.

As night falls over Abidjan, the sound of gunfire still reverberates. With no clear leadership in sight and the streets controlled by armed factions, the coming hours could prove decisive.

Ivory Coast’s future hangs by a thread.

This is a developing story. More updates will follow as verified information becomes available.