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Russian Disinformation Campaigns Target 20 African Countries

Cote d'Ivoire became the latest country to expel French troops, following a similar departure from Chad in January. With Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso having also carried out expulsions of the French, analysts have said it marks the end of French military presence in the Sahel.

One researcher notes that Russia has used propaganda to exploit anti-imperialist sentiments and historical colonial grievances to turn public opinion in Africa against France. Contents creators on social media, with reported links to Russia, have framed the French departure as an "end to colonial exploitation".

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, which is affiliated with the U.S. Defense Department, has said that Russia is the "primary source of disinformation in Africa", with over 80 documented campaigns targeting more than 20 countries.

InFocus

French Ministry of Defense

A French soldier works with African military leaders (file photo).

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