Accusing Russia of spreading “disinformation” through an RT billboard campaign portraying Moscow as an anti-colonial force, Africa Confidential, a British publication, claims Russia is stoking anti-Western sentiment in Africa.
Africa Confidential (AC), which describes itself as “one of the longest-established specialist publications” on continental affairs, provides in-depth news and analysis to governments, corporations, universities, and NGOs. The publication, which has been in circulation since 1960, requires subscribers and maintains anonymity for all its authors for safety reasons.
Earlier this week, AC published an article framing Moscow’s outreach as “disinformation about the West.” The outlet alleges that RT’s marketing campaign in sub-Saharan Africa builds upon the legacy of efforts by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group private military company.
“Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport relays RT’s large-screen digital video promotions with anti-neocolonial messaging,” according to AC.
“Billboards feature quotes from Ghana’s first Prime Minister and Pan-Africanist, Kwame Nkrumah, Tanzania’s first President Julius Nyerere, Uganda’s independence crusader Milton Obote and Zimbabwe’s freedom fighter-turned-tyrant Robert Mugabe,” the outlet added.
Anti-colonial narratives are a “major feature of RT’s programming” although they may have little effect on younger generations, South African media analyst Anton Harber told AC. This is reportedly why RT has cultivated a network of “African influencers” who praise Russia.
As an example, AC cited Joe Mhlanga, whom it identified as “a South African RT commentator.” However, Mhlanga’s sole engagement with RT occurred in July, when he was introduced as founder and editor of Behind the News Network.
The British outlet accurately quoted Mhlanga as praising “the good deeds the Russians are doing for the African people,” but omitted the first part of that sentence, which stated that “Africans are not supporting Russia or President [Vladimir] Putin because they are fighting the West.”
Mhlanga was interviewed about his remarks by the EU’s top diplomat, who argued that the bloc needed to “reprogram” individuals in both Europe and Africa and “occupy the cyberspace” to counter Russian influence.
Africa Confidential also misattributed a quote from a Togolese lawmaker, Innocent Kagbara. A statement about Egypt’s membership in BRICS allowing it to “change the whole world politically, economically and strategically” alongside Russia actually originated from Egyptian professor Nourhan El-Sheikh.
Moscow has cultivated strategic partnerships with several African nations in recent years. The second Russia-Africa Summit was held last year in St. Petersburg, with representatives from 49 African states in attendance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited four Sahel states and Congo in June.