Introduction
Africa has been a battlefield for superpowers looking to gain control over the continent’s resources for centuries. Containing an abundance of minerals, oil, gas and fertile soil; Africa’s wealth has always been sought by those world superpowers out there who want to expand their spheres of influence (Nkrumah, 1965). Such rivalry goes back in time right from periods when colonies were formed till date; hence proving how real this competition remains with current examples including France and Russia’s emergency rivalry within Africa (France24 2024). In line with Nkrumah’s neocolonialism assertion, misinformation by Russia has become a new form of strategy, similar to the previously adopted colonial strategies by the West for the destabilization of areas with a view towards re-configuring the narratives and making themselves dominant. In a changing geopolitical scenario, Russia’s approach towards misinformation has become sophisticated, fusing a mix of traditional propaganda techniques with modern-day digital tools. This paper discusses how Russia uses misinformation as a tool of influence in Africa, similar to historical colonialism built on narration and seizure of resources. Such an investigation into historical context, methodology, and consequences will give further insight into the complexity of modern power dynamics in Africa and what that means for global stability. The interlinked dynamics of competition for resources and mis/disinformation reveal long legacies of colonialism and continued struggles over influence in a fast-changing world.
Historical Context of Resource Competition
Competition for resources in Africa has conventionally been associated with the period of colonization when different European powers drew on the rich natural resources of the continent. In his “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”, Walter Rodney elaborated on the dialectics of development and underdevelopment by saying that the resources of Africa developed Europe in the same way as Europe underdeveloped Africa (Rodney, 1972). They did this through the use of narratives of the African societies being backward and in need of European governance to civilize them (Said, 2003; Allard-Tremblay &Coburn, 2023). This is an environment where the resources and even the narrative of such actions could be controlled by the colonial powers (Fanon, 1963).
While new players came onto the African scene in post-colonial dynamics, the struggle for resources remained very aggressive. Whereas the African nations received their independence, external interests still had their way of influencing the political and economic aspects of the continent-a reflection of a continuous struggle for power and control. This struggle for power and control goes on and is very much evident in the extent to which British companies predominate in Africa’s key mineral resources: from gold and platinum to diamonds, copper, oil, gas, and coal. A report in 2016 reveals that 101 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, most of them British-operated in 37 sub-Saharan African countries, have a combined resource of more than $1 trillion. This has originally and consistently come from the use of UK government power to ensure that British mining companies have continual access to raw materials from Africa, a relationship that has existed since the colonial period and into the present day (War on Want, 2016). Due to this fact, alliances formed during the colonial era are increasingly being threatened, with the lead being taken by the former French colonies under military rule. The discontent of the African nations over their colonial legacy has spurred them toward forging new alliances away from the traditional colonial masters and toward alternative partnerships, particularly Russia. This shift denotes a greater degree of autonomy and control over resources that were exploited over time.
The Role of Misinformation/information in Modern Geopolitics
Although most people usually use the terms interchangeably, misinformation and disinformation have different meanings. Misinformation is a term used to mean the spread of information that is false or misleading without the intention to deceive. An individual in this regard shares inaccuracies or misunderstandings without knowing. This may be spread through sites when news articles are circulated without even checking their veracity or when scientific facts are misunderstood (Chen, Xiao, & Kumar, 2023; Del Vicario et al., 2016; Wu et al., 2016). In contrast, disinformation connotes the intent of deliberate misinformation spread with the intent to deceive or manipulate. Many times, this is used strategically in political or social circles to control opinion or camouflage the truth. An example is a government agency that spreads false stories to discredit the opposition or organizes campaigns targeting voters in advance of elections to mislead them. The only difference lies in the motive, the former gets spread unwittingly, while the latter is spread with deliberate motives of misleading others. While both can be harmful, disinformation is usually better calculated and targeted, hence potentially more hazardous in influencing public perception and behavior (Broda & Strömbäck, 2024; Benkler; Faris & Roberts, 2018)
Historically, information/disinformation has been used both by colonial powers and, presently, by contemporary actors as ways of manipulating public perception to legitimize certain claims. Today, it is a powerful tool wielded by countries such as Russia in delineating certain narratives that best fit their geopolitical interests. Misinformation distorts facts and then suggests one-sided perspectives which easily prejudice the opinions of the people and destabilize an entire region.
Russia’s Disinformation/Misinformation Tactics
State-controlled outlets like RT and Sputnik have a very important role to play in spreading misinformation. These channels often broadcast prejudicial reports that were in favor of Russian interests and framed events to contribute to the geopolitical interests of Russia. For instance, reporting on conflict or political developments related to Africa is presented with views that outline a pro-Russian perspective and camouflage the nuances of the local context. Cyber operations amplify the influence that Moscow is having in shaping the narrative even more. Intermittently, high-profile cyber campaigns target a variety of African nations in an attempt to disrupt political processes and spread misinformation to dent trust in governments.
In September 2024, the United States Government including the Department of State, Department of Treasury, and Department of Justice sanctioned “RT News”. RT News is a Russian state-owned media organization that peddles propaganda, misinformation/disinformation, and malign influence globally. The U.S. and other Western governments recently issued a public statement naming RT as an intelligence arm of the Russian government. RT’s role as a media megaphone for Russian propaganda has been publicly acknowledged by RT’s own Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan as far back as 2012 when Simonyan compared RT to Russia’s Ministry of Defense in a news interview.
Targeted Regions and Case Studies
Russia’s misinformation tactics have been particularly pronounced in several African countries. For example, in the Central African Republic, Russian mercenaries have been involved in military operations while simultaneously engaging in disinformation campaigns to bolster their image and influence local politics. Similarly, in Mali, misinformation has been used to foster anti-Western sentiment, creating a favorable environment for Russian engagement (Ferragamo, 2023). The impact of these campaigns on local politics and society is profound. Misinformation contributes to political instability, as it erodes public trust in government institutions and fuels societal divisions. This destabilization not only affects governance but also hampers the ability of nations to respond effectively to internal and external challenges. For example, Cameron-based Afrique Media takes stories from RT at the direction of Russia and recirculates them in Africa under the guise of Afrique Media independent reporting, to recast Russian propaganda as newsworthy in Africa. Afrique Media is an online news media conglomerate that has the appearance of a legitimate news organization but is a prolific distributor of Russian propaganda (ADF, 2023).
The Broader Impact on International Relations
The use of misinformation complicates relationships between African nations and external powers. As Russia seeks to increase its influence, the dynamics between African countries and other superpowers, such as France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, become increasingly intricate. The competition for resources is not merely economic; it involves a struggle for ideological and narrative control.
Moreover, the implications for African sovereignty are significant. Misinformation undermines the capacity of governments to represent their citizens and maintain autonomy in decision-making. As external powers manipulate narratives, African nations face challenges in asserting their interests and identity on the global stage. RT works through Ebossama, Afrique Media, and other Russian-government-sponsored efforts, to disseminate false stories intended to sow discord, divide populations, and manipulate elections and democratic processes. They engage in efforts to destabilize governments to position African states to receive Russian assistance and turn African states against each other. These actions are both a threat – and an insult – to African countries’ sovereignty, security, and economic stability. Russians insult the intelligence and humanity of African populations with their attempts to manipulate them with falsehoods and disinformation.
Conclusion
Understanding misinformation as a modern form of colonialism highlights the necessity for a robust global response. Just as historical colonial powers sought to control narratives to maintain dominance, contemporary actors like Russia exploit misinformation to destabilize regions and manipulate public perception. Russia has its neocolonialism aims in Africa: Though Russia often positions itself as an ally standing beside African nations against the “neocolonial” aims of the West, primarily the US and France, Russia itself seeks to monopolize extraction of African resources to further its neo-imperialistic aims. Russia is not a partner, but a foreman of a new system designed to strip Africa of its resources and outsource its people to fight in wars overseas. By recognizing these tactics, we can better equip ourselves to counter the threats posed by misinformation and promote informed, cohesive societies in an increasingly complex world. The interplay between resource competition and misinformation underscores the enduring legacies of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for influence in Africa, necessitating concerted efforts to ensure that African nations can navigate these challenges with resilience and urgency.
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