Russia's Information Warfare in Africa: Influence Operations in the Sahel

In the new era of technology and digitalization, the internet has become a new battleground where states are able to exercise their power and employ various tools to achieve foreign policy objectives. While this creates a possibility to improve the communication between the public and the government, it also opens a door for bad actors to pursue their agenda through fake news and disinformation. Russia has long been at the forefront of utilizing both in-person and digital spaces for propaganda efforts. The Sahel region of Africa presents possibly one of the most successful stories in the Kremlin’s recent track record. By using various channels of communication, such as Russian and local news outlets, social media groups, and domestic public figures, Russia created a diverse media network that cut deep into the local communities. Such growth of Russian popularity points to the need for a deeper analysis of the tools utilized by Kremlin strategists. This article aims to assess the scale, methods, and impacts of Russian propaganda engagement in the Sahel, drawing on Mali as a primary example.