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.

PHOTO CAPTION: •Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traore with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the parade marking WW2 victory anniversary in Moscow. / Reuters

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