Russia's propaganda efforts in Africa face setbacks as the UK takes action
In the ongoing battle against disinformation, the United Kingdom has dealt a significant blow to Russia's propaganda push in Africa. The UK has imposed sanctions on three individuals associated with the African Initiative news agency, a Russian organisation suspected of being a tool for disinformation pushed by Moscow.
Established in 2017, the African Initiative has recently rebranded itself as a key part of Russia’s propaganda machinery targeting Africa. It presents itself as a platform connecting Russia and Africa culturally and socially, but functions primarily to disseminate anti-Western and pro-Kremlin narratives across the continent.
The agency operates as a "two-headed" structure. It has a physical presence in Africa through an NGO model that recruits local influencers, journalists, and grassroots activists to amplify these pro-Russian messages locally. It uses multiple language channels, including French, to expand its reach in Africa.
Notable figures connected to African Initiative include Yevgeny Korendyasov, a former Russian ambassador to Mali and Burkina Faso, who formally leads it. However, real control is believed to reside with operatives linked directly to the Kremlin and the Russian intelligence community, including GRU officials like Andrei Averyanov. The agency works closely with Russian soft power institutions such as Rossotrudnichestvo, and collaborates with the Wagner Group's propaganda units.
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, stated that GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilize Europe and undermine Ukraine's sovereignty. The sanctions against the individuals associated with African Initiative are part of the UK's efforts to protect the country from harm and support for Ukraine and Europe's security is ironclad.
The African Initiative continues to function actively, operating training centers and partnering with local media in regions like the Sahel, aiming to expand Russian influence through information warfare that undermines Western presence and promotes Kremlin-friendly sentiment. It remains under scrutiny by Western intelligence and independent bodies, considered a continuation of covert Russian influence operations in Africa following the partial disbandment of the Wagner Group.
Meanwhile, Russia is delivering a mobile anti-epidemic laboratory to Burkina Faso, capable of conducting up to 800 tests per day for more than 20 infectious diseases. However, the question of the lab's intentions and the true motives behind the African Initiative's activities in Africa continue to be subjects of concern and investigation.
References:
[1] "African Initiative: Russia's New Propaganda Front in Africa." Atlantic Council, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/african-initiative-russias-new-propaganda-front-in-africa/
[2] "Russia's African Initiative: A Propaganda Front or a Diplomatic Ploy?" The Diplomat, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/russias-african-initiative-a-propaganda-front-or-a-diplomatic-ploy/
[3] "African Initiative: Russia's New Propaganda Machine." Foreign Policy, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/12/african-initiative-russia-propaganda-machine-africa/
[4] "UK Sanctions Three Individuals Linked to Russian Propaganda Front in Africa." BBC News, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-64573691
[5] "Russia's African Initiative: A Continued Threat in the Sahel." The Jamestown Foundation, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://jamestown.org/program/russias-african-initiative-a-continued-threat-in-the-sahel/
- The African Initiative, now under scrutiny, is not only a news agency, but also a suspected vehicle for Russian disinformation, influencing Africa's general-news landscape, politics, and sports discussions, as well as local grassroots activism in crime-and-justice matters.
- Amidst the escalating business of information warfare, the UK has imposed sanctions on individuals associated with African Initiative, aiming to hinder its expansion in areas like culture, economy, and technology.
- While Russia is providing aid such as mobile anti-epidemic laboratory facilities to countries like Burkina Faso, investigations into the African Initiative remain ongoing due to concerns over its intentions in shaping business, politics, and sports narratives on the continent.
