• Research Associate, Sub-Saharan Africa

Tessa Knight

Tessa Knight is a research associate for the Sub-Saharan Africa region at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) based in South Africa. Tessa worked as a news journalist for two South African media companies before joining the DFRLab where she discovered her passion for tracking disinformation and the spread of digital propaganda on the African continent.

As a research associate for DFRLab’s sub-Saharan African research unit, Tessa is committed to increasing awareness around digital propaganda, and working with other researchers, journalists and policy-makers to come up with uniquely African solutions to both local and international disinformation targeting the continent.

April 2023

Potentially hijacked Twitter accounts promote Sudanese paramilitary force

by Tessa Knight, Ali Chenrose

Over 900 accounts appear to boost tweets from the RSF and its leader, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemetdi" Dagalo, as armed conflict sweeps across Sudan
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January 2023

Russian War Report: Wagner Group fights French ‘zombies’ in cartoon propaganda

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Plus, more on Wagner's power struggles with the Russian defense ministry and Russia's apparent use of incendiary munitions in Kherson.
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October 2022

Footage raises additional questions about Wagner presence in Sudan

by Tessa Knight, Private: Mattia Caniglia, Ruslan Trad

Videos allegedly show Wagner personnel training Sudanese Army and RSF paramilitary forces.
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