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The Sahel: Seeing Through Russia’s Disinformation Playbook in Africa
The Sahel: Seeing Through Russia’s Disinformation Playbook in Africa
By: Umarou Sanou
Africa is no stranger to foreign influence, be it from superpowers or emerging powers, from the West to the East, from Washington to Beijing, from the Kremlin to Paris, and from Tel Aviv to Tehran, among others. But what is unfolding today in the Sahel goes beyond influence; it is a deliberate, structured campaign of manipulation, carefully engineered through narratives, proxies, and disinformation.
Russia’s growing footprint in Africa, particularly across the Sahel, is often presented as solidarity, anti-imperialism, and strategic partnership. Yet beneath this carefully crafted messaging lies a far more calculated agenda: shaping African public opinion to serve Moscow’s geopolitical interests, especially its war in Ukraine, while offering little in real developmental value.
The uncomfortable truth is this: Russia has far more to gain from Africa than Africa has to gain from Russia.
Recent investigative work by Forbidden Stories has shed rare light on what can only be described as a coordinated influence architecture. Leaked documents attributed to Russian intelligence outline a clear objective to “reformat the African space” by building a belt of friendly regimes. Africa, in this framing, is not a partner. It is a theatre of operations.
At the centre of this strategy is the Sahel. The Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, is projected as a bold symbol of sovereignty and resistance. But in reality, it risks becoming a geopolitical outpost, a testing ground in the wider contest between Russia and the West. The rhetoric is powerful. The outcomes, however, remain underwhelming.
Security has not improved. Terrorist groups continue to expand their operational space. Economic transformation remains elusive. What has grown instead is a sophisticated machinery of influence.
This machinery operates quietly but effectively. Journalists are approached under the guise of partnerships, only to be offered payments for sponsored narratives.
Influencers and cultural figures are recruited to amplify pro-Russian messaging. Youth forums and pan-African platforms are repurposed as ideological channels. Entire media ecosystems are being constructed to bypass critical voices and flood the information space with curated content.
This is not engagement. It is infiltration. The real danger, however, lies not just in the content of these narratives, but in how they are constructed. They are tailored to resonate deeply with African history, invoking anti-colonial struggles, pan-African solidarity, and resistance to Western dominance.
The language is familiar. The appeal is emotional.
But it is also deceptive. Because rejecting one form of external influence only to embrace another is not liberation: it is substitution.
Russia presents itself as a champion against imperialism. Yet its actions tell a different story. From its conduct in Ukraine to its historical approach to internal dissent, Moscow’s record raises serious questions about the values it claims to export. It is difficult to position oneself as anti-imperialist while engaging in actions that mirror the very practices one condemns.
This contradiction is not accidental. It is strategic. Narratives, after all, are instruments of power. In the Sahel, these narratives are spreading like soap bubbles; colourful, attractive, and easy to absorb. But like all bubbles, they lack substance. They promise partnership without delivery, solidarity without sacrifice, and security without stability.
And yet, they are gaining traction. Part of the reason lies in Africa’s historical vulnerability to external storytelling. From colonial rule to Cold War alignments, the continent has often been positioned as an arena for competing global interests rather than as an autonomous actor. Today, that pattern risks repeating itself, this time through digital platforms, information warfare, and narrative manipulation.
But Africa’s challenges have evolved. The continent is no longer grappling with colonialism as its primary concern. The real issues today are governance, development, and security. The Sahel does not need competing propaganda. It needs functioning institutions. It does not need ideological alignment. It needs jobs, infrastructure, and stability.
It certainly does not need to be drawn into geopolitical rivalries that do not serve its interests.
Russia cannot solve these problems, and the evidence is increasingly clear. Where Russian-backed security arrangements have taken root, instability has persisted and, in some cases, deepened. Armed groups continue to exploit governance vacuums. Civilian populations remain vulnerable. Regional spillovers are affecting neighbouring countries, including Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana.
At the same time, Russia’s economic footprint in Africa remains limited. Trade volumes are modest compared to other global partners. Investment levels are low. Developmental impact is minimal.
In essence, the offer is simple: narratives in exchange for influence. This is not a partnership. It is a transaction.
None of this suggests that Africa should disengage from Russia or any other global power. Strategic engagement remains necessary in a complex world. But such engagement must be grounded in realism, not rhetoric.
Africa must judge its partners not by what they say, but by what they deliver. More importantly, Africa must begin to tell its own story.
The spread of disinformation in the Sahel is not solely a foreign problem. It is also a reflection of domestic vulnerabilities: weak institutions, underfunded media, and limited digital literacy. Addressing these gaps is as critical as countering external interference.
Journalists must uphold professional integrity and resist inducements that compromise credibility. Influencers and cultural voices must recognise their responsibility in shaping public discourse. Governments must invest in media literacy and transparent communication.
And citizens, especially the youth, must learn to question, verify, and think critically. Because ultimately, the battle is not just for territory or alliances. It is for the African mind.
Russia’s disinformation template in the Sahel is sophisticated and persistent. But it is not invincible. Its strength lies in perception, and once that perception is challenged, its influence weakens.
Africa stands at a defining moment. It can continue to be a stage for external ambitions, or it can assert itself as an actor, confident, strategic, and guided by its own interests.
The choice is clear. Africa does not need another patron. It needs clarity, sovereignty, and strategic discipline. And above all, it must learn to see through the illusion.
Umarou Sanou is a social critic, Pan-African observer, and researcher focusing on governance, security, and political transitions in the Sahel. He writes on geopolitics, regional stability, and African leadership dynamics.
Contact: sanououmarou386@gmail.com
The Sahel: Seeing Through Russia’s Disinformation Playbook in Africa
PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education
By: Michael Mike
The Presdent of the General Assembly of the Premiere Academy International Model United Nations (PAIMUN) 2026, H.E. Timilehin Adewuyi, has called on governments, international organisations and private institutions to intensify efforts toward bridging the digital divide and expanding access to technology-driven education across the world.p
Speaking during the second session of the PAIMUN General Assembly held at the United Nations House in Abuja, Adewuyi described digital transformation in education as a critical tool for achieving sustainable development and preparing future generations for global leadership.
Addressing delegates, diplomats and education stakeholders, the PAIMUN President said the world has entered an era where education can no longer remain dependent on traditional methods, stressing that technology has become central to building inclusive, innovative and sustainable societies.
“It is my profound privilege, as President of the General Assembly, to address this august gathering on the topic: ‘Digital Transformation of the Educational Sector as a Driver of Sustainable Development,’” he stated.
According to him, digital innovation has fundamentally changed the way knowledge is accessed, shared and applied globally, opening new opportunities for students to learn beyond geographical and economic limitations.
He noted that digital classrooms, virtual libraries, artificial intelligence and online learning platforms are equipping young people with critical 21st-century skills such as creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and digital literacy.
Adewuyi stressed that these skills are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and positioning young people to compete effectively in the global economy.
Despite the growing opportunities presented by technology, the PAIMUN President warned that millions of students, particularly in developing countries, still face severe barriers due to poor internet connectivity, lack of electricity and inadequate access to digital devices.
He said sustainable development would remain unattainable if educational opportunities continue to be unequal across regions and social groups.
“Governments, international organizations, and private institutions must work collectively to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no learner is left behind in this technological revolution,” he said.
Adewuyi further described digital education as more than an innovation, calling it a strategic investment in humanity’s future.
He urged delegates at the conference to remain committed to policies that promote responsible and inclusive technology adoption in education systems worldwide.
“By embracing technology responsibly and inclusively, we empower the next generation to drive economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability,” he added.
The PAIMUN conference, hosted by Premiere Academy, brought together student delegates simulating the United Nations General Assembly to debate global issues and propose solutions through diplomacy, dialogue and policy engagement.
The event focused extensively on how digital transformation can strengthen education systems, reduce inequalities and accelerate sustainable development across nations.
PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised two suspected terrorists during a night ambush operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity/Siege Operations, took place at about 11:05 p.m. on May 13, 2026, at Bazamri village, a location identified as a major crossing point for members of the ISWAP.
According to the sources, troops laying ambush at the location intercepted and engaged the terrorists in a firefight, resulting in the neutralisation of two insurgents.
Following the encounter, troops carried out exploitation of the area and recovered several items suspected to be logistics supplies for the terrorists.
Recovered items included 54 packs of 80-gram detergent, 32 packs of 500-gram salt and one carton of spaghetti.
Military authorities confirmed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation.
The ambush team was said to have subsequently changed position and continued surveillance and waiting operations in the area as part of sustained offensive actions against terrorist movements.
Security sources added that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory, while offensive operations across the theatre continued.
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
NHRC, stakeholders meet to promote human rights in Gombe
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Gombe State Office, on Tuesday, organised a state consultative meeting on the National Action Plan (NAP) for the promotion and protection of human rights in the state.
The meeting which was held in Gombe brought together stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), security agencies, community representatives, youth groups and other relevant stakeholders.
The engagement was to deliberate on the implementation of the NAP and to identify prevailing human rights concerns affecting citizens within Gombe State.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that the engagement served as a platform for interaction, exchange of ideas and collective commitment towards strengthening human rights protection mechanisms in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
Represented by the State Coordinator, NHRC, Gombe State office Dr Joseph Wanshe, Ojukwu emphasised the importance of the NAP as a strategic framework designed to improve the human rights situation in the state and Nigeria through collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations and citizens.
Wanshe, while presenting an overview of the NAP, explained that the NAP is a comprehensive policy framework aimed at ensuring the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights in accordance with constitutional provisions and international human rights obligations ratified by Nigeria.
Mr Lemuel Akeweta while making his presentation said that the objectives of the meeting amongst others was to create awareness on the NAP for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.
Others he said was to encourage stakeholders’ participation in the implementation of the NAP; identifying prevailing human rights challenges within the state and strengthening collaboration among MDAs, CSOs and other stakeholders.
He also said that practical recommendations and way forward for effective implementation of the NAP at state and grassroots levels would be developed.
Our Correspondent reports that a total of 45 attendees cutting across 28 MDAs and 17 CSOs and a team of five NHRC staff were also present at the meeting.
NHRC, stakeholders meet to promote human rights in Gombe
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