Influencers in africa pushing pro-kremlin narratives

In the shifting geopolitical landscape of Africa, a network of vocal pro-Kremlin influencers has emerged, shaping public opinion and spreading narratives aligned with Moscow’s interests. Among these figures, Evgueni Prigojine, a key oligarch in Vladimir Poutine’s inner circle and financier of the Wagner Group, stands at the forefront. His influence extends through proxies such as the Afric (Association for Free Research and International Cooperation), led by Mozambican academic José Matemulane from Maputo and chaired by Prigojine’s associate Ioulia Afanasieva. This organization serves as a conduit for Russia’s strategic messaging across the continent.

media allies and anti-western rhetoric

The Afric maintains close ties with panafricanist media outlets like Radio Révolution panafricaine and Afrique Média TV, headquartered in Cameroon. This channel, part of the Afrique Média press group led by Justin B. Tagouh—who has met Vladimir Poutine twice—serves as a platform for pro-Russian and anti-French narratives. Cameroonian politician Banda Kani, president of the Nouveau Mouvement Populaire party, frequently appears on the channel, promoting aggressive pro-Kremlin stances. He has labeled Ukraine’s government an “oligarchic criminal regime” and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a “rogue.” The channel also hosts Kemi Seba, the Franco-Béninese activist known for his fiery anti-colonial rhetoric.

Kemi Seba: from Moscow to the Sahel

Kemi Seba, founder of the NGO Urgence Panafricaniste, has cultivated ties with Russian nationalist Aleksandr Douguine, a leading voice in the Kremlin’s anti-Western, anti-liberal ideology. Seba met with Vladimir Poutine in 2017 and again in early March 2022, where he also engaged with Mikhaïl Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Africa and the Middle East. Seba’s visit culminated in a speech at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. During a 2020 appearance on Vox Africa, Seba revealed he had been invited by Evgueni Prigojine to visit Russia, Sudan, and Libya. However, he distanced himself from Prigojine after the oligarch allegedly urged violent actions against Western symbols, even at the risk of African collateral damage. Despite this rift, Seba continues to amplify pro-Kremlin talking points on social media.

Nathalie Yamb: the “lady of sotchi” and her crusade

Nathalie Yamb, a Cameroonian-Swiss activist dubbed the “Lady of Sotchi” after attending the Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, is one of Africa’s most prominent critics of France. Her outspoken views led to her expulsion from Côte d’Ivoire in December 2019. A report by the Free Russia Foundation links her to a January 2020 conference in Berlin, co-organized by the Afric and the Foundation for the Protection of National Values—a structure tied to Prigojine and overseen by Russian journalist Alexander Malkevitch. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Yamb has openly supported the Russian military.

Yamb is also a member of Côte d’Ivoire’s Lider party, whose Twitter account amplifies pro-Russian propaganda, especially since the war began. Though the party’s founder, Mamadou Koulibaly, has retired from politics and stepped back from social media, he traveled to Bamako in mid-March to endorse Mali’s pro-Russian junta. In an interview with Vox Africa, Koulibaly claimed he accepted an invitation from a group of young panafricanists to “break the embargo and support the people and youth fighting for sovereignty.”

pro-russian networks in the Sahel and central africa

In Mali, Adama Diarra (aka “Ben le Cerveau“), a prominent pro-Russian figure, serves as the spokesperson for Yerewolo – Debout sur les remparts, a local movement advocating for closer ties with Moscow. In September 2021, Diarra confirmed rumors of ongoing negotiations between Wagner and Mali’s transitional government. He has since organized nearly all pro-Russian demonstrations in Bamako and revealed that “fifty Russian military experts” have been deployed to Mali for over a month to provide strategic assessments.

Russia’s influence extends to the Central African Republic (CAR), where Fred Krock operates Lengo Songo, a widely listened-to radio station. Funded by Lobaye Invest—a mining company linked to Wagner and initially managed by Evgueni Khodotov, a Prigojine loyalist—Lengo Songo amplifies the voices of Kremlin-aligned figures in Bangui. These include former Ambassador Vladimir Titorenko, presidential advisor Valeri Zakharov, sociologist Maksim Shugaley, and Aleksandr Ivanov, head of the Community of Officers for International Security (Cosi). The station also features Blaise Didacien Kossimatchi and Harouna Douamba, civil society leaders who organize pro-Russian rallies and are linked to Lobaye Invest.

South Africa’s digital pro-kremlin echo chamber

Beyond the Sahel and CAR, pro-Russian sentiment is amplified in South Africa, where the Twitter account of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla—daughter of former President Jacob Zuma—popularized the hashtag #istandwithrussia. With over 200,000 followers, the account frequently shares content denouncing NATO and Western “imperialism,” resonating with local audiences disillusioned by global power dynamics.

These influencers and media platforms form a cohesive network, disseminating narratives that align with Moscow’s strategic goals in Africa. From Bamako to Bangui and beyond, their actions underscore the growing footprint of Russian soft power on the continent.