In the complex landscape of African geopolitics, certain voices have emerged as prominent amplifiers of pro-Kremlin narratives. These individuals, often operating through media platforms and political alliances, play a key role in shaping public opinion across the continent.
key figures in the pro-russian network
At the heart of this network is Evgueni Prigojine, a Russian oligarch with close ties to Vladimir Poutine. As the financier behind the Wagner Group, Prigojine leverages organizations like the AfriC (Association for Free Research and International Cooperation) to extend his influence. Headquartered in Maputo and led by psychologist José Matemulane, this association serves as a conduit for Kremlin-backed operations in Africa. Ioulia Afanasieva, a Prigojine associate, presides over AfriC, reinforcing its alignment with Moscow’s strategic interests.
The AfriC collaborates with panafricanist media outlets such as Radio Révolution panafricaine and Afrique Média TV, both of which broadcast pro-Russian and anti-French messaging. Based in Cameroon, Afrique Média TV is owned by the Afrique Média press group, led by Justin B. Tagouh—a figure who has twice visited Sotchi and claims to have met Poutine. Within this ecosystem, Banda Kani, president of the Nouveau mouvement populaire party, openly endorses pro-Kremlin stances, even labeling Ukraine’s government as a «criminal oligarchy» and its president Volodymyr Zelensky a «hooligan».
Kemi Seba’s controversial alliances
The Franco-Béninois activist Kemi Seba, founder of the Urgence panafricaniste NGO, has cultivated ties with Russian nationalist Aleksandr Douguine, a leading ideologue of a multipolar world and vocal critic of Western liberalism. Seba’s alignment with Kremlin-aligned figures is evident in his meetings with Poutine in 2017 and again in early March, where he also engaged with Mikhaïl Bogdanov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister for Africa and the Middle East. During a conference at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Seba reiterated his support for Russian narratives.
While Seba initially accepted invitations from Prigojine to visit Russia, Sudan, and Libya, he distanced himself when urged to endorse violent actions against Western symbols—even if such actions risked collateral damage in Africa. Despite this, he continues to promote pro-Kremlin views on social media.
Nathalie Yamb: the «lady of Sotchi»
Nathalie Yamb, a Swiss-Cameroonian commentator, has become one of Africa’s most vocal critics of France and its allies. Nicknamed the «lady of Sotchi» after her participation in the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit, Yamb’s expulsion from Côte d’Ivoire in December 2019 underscored her controversial stance. According to the Free Russia Foundation, she attended a 2020 Berlin conference organized by AfriC and the Foundation for the Protection of National Values—a group linked to Prigojine and helmed by Alexander Malkevitch, a figure with ties to Russian intelligence. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Yamb has openly supported the Russian military.
Yamb is also associated with Côte d’Ivoire’s Lider party, whose Twitter account frequently amplifies pro-Russian propaganda. Though the party’s founder, Mamadou Koulibaly, has retired from politics and remains inactive on social media, he traveled to Bamako in mid-March to express solidarity with Mali’s pro-Russian junta. In an interview with Vox Africa, Koulibaly framed his visit as a response to an invitation from a panafricanist youth movement, emphasizing his commitment to «breaking the embargo and supporting populations fighting for sovereignty».
Pro-Kremlin activism in Mali
In Mali, Adama Diarra—known as «Ben le cerveau»—serves as a central figure in pro-Russian advocacy. As spokesperson for the Yerewolo – Debout sur les remparts movement, he confirmed rumors of Wagner Group negotiations with Malian authorities in 2021. Since then, he has organized numerous pro-Russian demonstrations in Bamako. «Fifty Russian military experts have been in Mali for over a month,» he stated, «providing strategic assessments.»
Media amplification in the Central African Republic
The Kremlin’s influence extends to Bangui, where Fred Krock oversees Lengo Songo, a widely listened-to radio station. Funded by Lobaye Invest—a mining company tied to Wagner—Lengo Songo amplifies voices of Russian presence in the country, 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). These figures frequently appear on the station, reinforcing pro-Russian narratives.
The radio also resonates with civil society leaders like Blaise Didacien Kossimatchi of the pro-Touadéra «Galaxie nationale» platform and Harouna Douamba, president of «Aimons notre Afrique», an association financed by Lobaye Invest. Both men have organized pro-Russian rallies in Bangui.
South African networks and global reach
Even in South Africa, pro-Russian sentiment is amplified through social media. The Twitter account of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla—daughter of former president Jacob Zuma—has popularized the #istandwithrussia hashtag, shared hundreds of thousands of times. Most posts associated with the hashtag denounce NATO and Western imperialism, further spreading Kremlin-aligned narratives.
a strategic shift in african narratives
These individuals and organizations form a web of influence that extends from media platforms to political movements, shaping African perceptions of Russia’s role on the continent. Whether through direct financial ties, ideological alignment, or media amplification, their actions reflect a concerted effort to promote pro-Kremlin perspectives across Africa.
