Africa

Democracy Derailed report cover art

Tue, Aug 8, 2023

Sudan’s precarious information environment and the fight for democracy

An examination of the time from December 2018, when protests against then-president Omar al-Bashir first broke out, and December 2022, when a framework agreement between civilian and military leaders came into play.

by Tessa Knight, Lujain Alsedeg

Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, deputy head of the military council and head of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), greets his supporters as he arrives at a meeting in Aprag village, 60 kilometers away from Khartoum, Sudan, June 22, 2019. (Source: REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo)

Wed, Aug 2, 2023

Suspicious network’s copypasta replies to Sudanese paramilitary group’s tweets

Network of potentially hijacked Twitter accounts copy and pasted positive replies to accounts associated with Rapid Support Forces

by Tessa Knight

Conflict Democratic Transitions
SCREENCAP: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SPEAKS AT RUSSIA-AFRICA FORUM AT ST. PETERSBURG, SAYING RUSSIA IS READY TO USE REGIONAL CURRENCIES FOR SETTLEMENTS WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Thu, Jul 27, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin seeks stronger ties in Africa as Wagner eyes Niger coup

As Russian president Vladimir Putin attends the Russia-Africa Summit, he and his government are making moves to solidify regional cooperation. Amid this, Wagner seeks to capitalize on the coup in Niger.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Thu, Jul 20, 2023

Russian War Report: Wagner is still in business in Africa

Despite their Russia-based forces being relocated to Belarus after their failed mutiny, Wagner Group is still alive and active in Africa, including ahead of a referendum in the Central African Republic.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Fri, Jun 30, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin denies that it targeted civilians in a missile attack on a pizza restaurant

A deadly Russian missile strike on a cafe in Kramatorsk leaves a dozen dead and more injured. Post-mutiny, Wagner's future in Africa is up in the air.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Thu, Jun 29, 2023

The disinformation landscape in West Africa and beyond

A look at West Africa’s information environment, with particular emphasis on local and international disinformation campaigns targeting the region and beyond.

by Tessa Knight, Jean le Roux

Wed, Jun 28, 2023

Yevgeny Prigozhin: A history of violence and propaganda around the world

Yevgeny Prigozhin captured global attention with his mutiny in Russia; the DFRLab has tracked his efforts around the world for over half a decade.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Botnets
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry shake hands during a news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia, January 31, 2023. (Source: Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via REUTERS)

Fri, May 19, 2023

Reports of alleged weapons deal between Egypt and Russia heighten conspiracy theories on Arabic social media

Leaked US intelligence document alleging secret weapons deal between Egypt and Russia sparks conspiracy theories about America’s interests in Egypt

by Dina Sadek

Africa Egypt

Mon, May 15, 2023

What is driving the adoption of Chinese surveillance technology in Africa?

When examining the proliferation of Chinese surveillance systems and cyber capabilities in Africa, research disproportionately focuses on the motivations and ambitions of the supplier. This perspective, while it highlights Chinese diplomatic ambitions and corporate opportunities, ignores local features that drive the adoption of Chinese surveillance tools.

by Bulelani Jili

Thu, May 11, 2023

Dubious Moroccan Facebook and Twitter accounts boost content critical of journalist Omar Radi and European Parliament

European Parliament’s condemnation of Morocco’s media crackdowns results in suspicious cross-platform amplification of pro-Moroccan response

Facebook Morocco
قائد قوات الدعم السريع اللواء محمد حمدان دقلو يتحدث خلال مؤتمر صحفي في مقر قوات الدعم السريع بالخرطوم، ١٩ فبراير ٢٠٢٣ (المصدر: رويترز، محمد نور الدين عبد الله)

Tue, Apr 25, 2023

حسابات تويتر مشبوهة تضخم بشكل مصطنع صورة زعيم الميليشيات السودانية وسط النزاع المسلح

شبكة حسابات استخدمت محتوى منسوخ للترويج لسرديات مساندة لقوات الدعم السريع ومحمد حمدان "حميدتي" دقلو

by Tessa Knight

Arabic Conflict
RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, aka Hamedti, speaks at a ceremony to sign the framework agreement between military rulers and civilian powers in Khartoum, Sudan December 5, 2022. (REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig)

Tue, Apr 25, 2023

حسابات تويتر يشتبه بأنها مسروقة تروّج للقوى السودانية شبه العسكرية

اكثر من ٠ ٠ ٩ حساب تدعم تغريدات قوة الدعم السريع السودانية وقائدها محمد حمدان "حميدتي" دقلو، مع اندلاع الصراع المسلح في السودان

by Tessa Knight

Arabic Conflict