The run-up to the vote in Côte d'Ivoire has been marked by a proliferation of misinformation and rumors, much of it centering on President Alassane Ouattara's candidacy for a potential fourth term.

The Fourth Term Question at the Heart of Disinformation

Despite claims circulating on social media that his candidacy was canceled or rejected, Mr. Ouattara has officially confirmed his participation and is currently campaigning. The main controversy lies in the interpretation of the Ivorian Constitution.

The president's supporters argue that the 2016 constitutional amendment reset the term counter, allowing him to run for another term. However, this interpretation deeply divides the political class, as journalist Laure Nesmon Pie explains: "It's a question of interpreting the law."

Fake Video of Minors Voting

Another viral story has been identified as fake: a video on TikTok and Facebook showing minors using their ID cards to vote. Although the card can be issued at a very young age, Ivorian law maintains the minimum voting age at 18, requiring voter registration.

Regional Interference: The “Made in AES” Story

The article also highlights a wave of disinformation with a regional dimension, particularly via platforms linked to the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA). An alleged video call between Emmanuel Macron and Alassane Ouattara, in which the French president allegedly encouraged the Ivorian president's fourth term, was widely circulated.

Analysis revealed that it was a montage manipulated by artificial intelligence, using old footage of the two presidents outside of the electoral context.

According to disinformation expert Anderson Diedri, this type of setup is part of an "information war" between Côte d'Ivoire and the ESA countries, with Burkina Faso specifically targeting Côte d'Ivoire.

A Context of Internal and Geopolitical War of Influence

Several experts agree that these disinformation campaigns emanate from across the political spectrum—both the government and the opposition—with the aim of discrediting the president and electoral institutions. They are also fueled by a complex geopolitical context, where pro-Russian and pan-Africanist actors are attempting to influence Ivorian public opinion.