In the complex geopolitical landscape of Africa, a network of influential figures has emerged to champion Russian narratives, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict. These personalities, operating through media platforms and political movements, amplify pro-Kremlin propaganda while targeting Western, especially French, influence across the continent.
the kremlin’s african allies: a network of influence
At the heart of this ecosystem lies Evgueni Prigojine, a close associate of Vladimir Putin and financier of the Wagner Group. Through entities like the Afric (Association for Free Research and International Cooperation), Prigojine orchestrates influence campaigns. Headquartered in Maputo and led by Mozambican academic José Matemulane, and chaired by Ioulia Afanasieva, a Prigojine ally, this organization serves as a conduit for spreading Russian narratives in Africa.
The Afric collaborates with panafricanist outlets such as Radio Révolution panafricaine and Afrique Média TV, both platforms frequently broadcasting anti-French and pro-Russian content. Based in Cameroon, Afrique Média TV is run by Justin B. Tagouh, who has twice visited Sochi and claims to have met Putin. Cameroonian politician Banda Kani, leader of the Nouveau mouvement populaire party, uses this platform to endorse extreme pro-Kremlin stances, labeling Ukraine’s government as a “criminal oligarchy” and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a “thug.”
kemi seba: from panafricanism to pro-kremlin advocacy
Kemi Seba, the Franco-Béninese activist and founder of Urgence Panafricaniste, has become a prominent voice in this network. His alignment with Russian nationalist ideologue Aleksandr Douguine—a key figure in Putin’s inner circle advocating for a multipolar world—has intensified his pro-Kremlin stance. Seba met Putin in 2017 and again in March 2022, where he engaged with Mikhaïl Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Africa and the Middle East, during a lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
Despite distancing himself from Prigojine’s suggestion of violent actions against Western symbols (with potential African collateral damage), Seba continues to promote Kremlin narratives on social media. In a 2020 interview on Vox Africa, he acknowledged being invited by Prigojine to Russia, Sudan, and Libya, though he later distanced himself from the oligarch’s more extreme proposals.
nathalie yamb: the “lady of sochi” and her anti-western crusade
Nathalie Yamb, a Cameroonian-Swiss activist dubbed the “Lady of Sochi” after her participation in the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit, is another influential figure in this network. Known for her vocal opposition to France and its allies in Africa, Yamb was expelled from Côte d’Ivoire in December 2019. According to a report by the Free Russia Foundation, she participated in an Afric-organized conference in Berlin in January 2020, which was co-hosted by the Foundation for the Protection of National Values—a structure linked to Prigojine and led by Alexander Malkevitch, a journalist with ties to Russian intelligence.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Yamb has openly supported Moscow’s military actions. She is also a member of Côte d’Ivoire’s Lider party, whose Twitter account frequently amplifies pro-Russian propaganda. Although the party’s founder, Mamadou Koulibaly, has retired from politics, he visited Bamako in mid-March to support Mali’s pro-Russian junta. In an interview with Vox Africa, Koulibaly explained his visit as a response to an invitation from a panafricanist youth movement, aiming to “defy the embargo and support populations and youth fighting for sovereignty.”
adama diarra: the voice of pro-russian sentiment in Mali
In Mali, Adama Diarra—known as “Ben le Cerveau”—serves as a central figure in pro-Russian advocacy. As spokesperson for the movement Yerewolo – Debout sur les remparts, he played a pivotal role in confirming rumors of a Wagner Group contract with Mali’s transitional government in September 2021. Since then, he has been instrumental in organizing pro-Russian demonstrations in Bamako. Diarra has also confirmed the presence of “fifty Russian military experts” in Mali for over a month, who conducted assessments in the country.
pro-russian media in the central african republic
In Bangui, the Central African Republic’s media landscape is heavily influenced by Russian narratives through Fred Krock, director of the widely listened-to radio station Lengo Songo. Funded by Lobaye Invest—a mining company linked to Wagner and initially managed by Evgueni Khodotov, a Prigojine associate—Lengo Songo amplifies voices supportive of Russian interests. Its content is frequently featured by Ria Fan, a Russian news agency operating within Prigojine’s media ecosystem.
The station regularly broadcasts statements from key Russian figures in Bangui, including former ambassador Vladimir Titorenko, presidential advisor Valeri Zakharov, sociologist Maksim Shugaley, and Aleksandr Ivanov, head of the Community of Officers for International Security (Cosi). Local civil society actors such as Blaise Didacien Kossimatchi (a member of the pro-Touadéra “Galaxie nationale” platform) and Harouna Douamba (president of “Aimons notre Afrique,” an association funded by Lobaye Invest) frequently organize pro-Russian demonstrations in the capital.
South Africa’s pro-russian echo chambers
Beyond Francophone Africa, South Africa’s social media landscape also amplifies pro-Russian narratives. The Twitter account of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, is credited with popularizing the hashtag #istandwithrussia, which has been shared hundreds of thousands of times. Most content associated with this hashtag denounces NATO and Western “imperialism.”