Moscow or Dubai? A Deep Dive into Russia’s Disinformation Campaign in Africa
A seemingly innocuous Facebook post showcasing a stunning cityscape of gleaming skyscrapers overlooking a marina dotted with luxury yachts, presented as Moscow, recently exposed a sophisticated layer of Russia’s disinformation campaign targeting Africa. A simple reverse image search quickly revealed the truth: the photo was of Dubai, not Moscow. This incident, while easily debunked, highlights a broader, more insidious strategy employed by Russia to reshape narratives and influence public opinion across the African continent.
The misleading post originated from a pro-Russian Facebook account boasting over 180,000 followers and masquerading as a news platform. While some profile details suggest a Burundi connection, the account regularly disseminates pro-Russian content, intermingling outright fabrications with more subtly manipulated truths. This blend of fact and fiction is a hallmark of Russia’s disinformation approach, exploiting existing anti-Western sentiment and historical narratives to sow distrust and promote a favorable image of Russia.
A March 2024 report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a US military think tank, identified Russia as the leading actor in state-sponsored disinformation campaigns across Africa. The study revealed a stark increase in such campaigns, with Russia linked to 80 out of nearly 200 documented instances, outpacing other nations like China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Unlike the clumsy Moscow-Dubai swap, these campaigns often employ more nuanced tactics, distorting truthful information through exaggeration and omission or amplifying existing public grievances against the West.
Experts like Aldu Cornelissen, co-founder of South African digital consultancy Murmur Intelligence, emphasize Russia’s strategic exploitation of historical tensions between Africa and the West. By reinforcing existing narratives of Western exploitation and neocolonialism, Russia cultivates a receptive environment for its own messaging without resorting to blatant falsehoods. Cornelissen describes a complex network of key accounts, both global and local, used to disseminate pro-Russian content. These networks leverage local influencers, often referred to as “nano-influencers,” who adapt the narrative to resonate with local audiences, adding a veneer of authenticity.
This localized approach extends to language and cultural nuances, employing individuals familiar with the specific sensitivities of different African communities. Beverly Ochieng, a researcher with the CSIS Africa program, highlights the effectiveness of this strategy. Messages delivered in local languages by seemingly authentic voices carry far more weight than generic propaganda emanating from distant troll farms. These local actors, often paid for their services, contribute to the spread of disinformation, sometimes even internalizing the narrative themselves and becoming unpaid proponents of the Russian perspective.
Beyond these influencers lies another layer of manipulation: the “buzzers.” These accounts, often controlled by bots or paid individuals, amplify pro-Russian content through sharing and reciprocal mentions, creating an illusion of widespread support and organic engagement. Research conducted by organizations like the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change in South Africa has revealed such networks operating around official Russian embassy accounts, involving various actors, including pro-Russian activists and alternative media outlets.
Russia’s disinformation strategy also incorporates traditional media channels. Despite sanctions and bans in many Western countries, RT (formerly Russia Today) maintains a presence in Africa, broadcasting via satellite and operating a media center in South Africa. In Francophone Africa, RT’s French-language broadcasts actively promote pro-Russian narratives, often featuring local journalists and commentators praising Russia’s actions in the Sahel region. Furthermore, online platforms like the African Initiative, allegedly linked to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group, play a crucial role in disseminating pro-Russian content through various social media channels.
The African Initiative also operates on the ground, organizing events and exhibitions that showcase Russian military might and historical narratives. These efforts are often tailored to resonate with local concerns, such as counterterrorism, further solidifying the image of Russia as a reliable partner. The promotion of Russian military prowess extends into pop culture, with films like "Tourist" and video games like "African Dawn" portraying Russian soldiers as heroic figures fighting alongside African forces. This “militainment” strategy reinforces the narrative of Russia as a strong and supportive ally.
Russia’s disinformation campaign also leverages any perceived Western missteps or insensitive remarks to fuel anti-Western sentiment. Incidents like French President Macron’s controversial comments regarding Sahel nations’ gratitude are quickly seized upon and amplified by platforms like the African Initiative, further driving a wedge between African nations and the West. This strategy taps into historical memories of Soviet support for African liberation movements, often romanticizing the past while downplaying any negative aspects of Soviet involvement. While acknowledging Russia’s historical ties with Africa, experts caution against the oversimplification and selective use of history to promote a simplistic dichotomy of Russia as a friend and the West as an enemy.
Through this multi-faceted approach, combining subtle manipulation of narratives with blatant falsehoods, leveraging local voices and exploiting existing grievances, Russia seeks to reshape the information landscape in Africa and position itself as a preferred partner over Western nations. This sophisticated campaign poses a significant challenge, requiring careful analysis and critical thinking to discern fact from fiction and understand the true motivations behind the narratives being presented.