In Africa, certain voices have become prominent advocates of Kremlin-backed narratives, shaping public opinion across the continent. Among these key figures are Kemi Seba, a Franco-Béninois activist, and Nathalie Yamb, a Cameroonian-Swiss commentator, both of whom have positioned themselves as vocal supporters of Russian influence in Africa.
the kremlin’s african influence network
At the heart of this pro-Russian movement lies Evgueni Prigojine, a close ally of Vladimir Poutine and the financier behind the Wagner Group. Through entities like the Afric (Association for Free Research and International Cooperation), led by Mozambican academic José Matemulane and co-chaired by Prigojine associate Ioulia Afanasieva, Moscow extends its reach. Afric collaborates with panafricanist media outlets such as Radio Révolution panafricaine and Afrique Média TV—based in Cameroon and owned by Justin B. Tagouh, who claims to have met Poutine twice in Sotchi.
This network amplifies anti-Western, particularly anti-French, rhetoric. For instance, Banda Kani, leader of Cameroon’s Nouveau mouvement populaire, frequently denounces Ukraine as a “criminal oligarchy” and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as a “thug.” The platform also hosts Kemi Seba, who has been a recurring guest.
kemi seba: from panafricanism to pro-kremlin alignment
Kemi Seba, founder of the pan-Africanist NGO Urgence Panafricaniste, has cultivated ties with Russian nationalist Aleksandr Douguine, a leading ideologue of anti-Western and anti-liberal thought. Seba met with Poutine in 2017 and again in March, where he also engaged with Mikhaïl Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Africa and the Middle East. During a talk at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Seba reiterated his support for Kremlin-aligned positions.
In 2020, Seba revealed on Vox Africa that he was invited by Prigojine to visit Russia, Sudan, and Libya. However, he distanced himself after Prigojine allegedly urged violent actions against Western symbols—even if it risked collateral damage in Africa. Despite this rift, Seba continues to promote pro-Russian narratives on social media.
nathalie yamb: the ‘lady of sochi’ and her controversial rise
Nathalie Yamb, often dubbed the “Lady of Sochi” after her high-profile attendance at the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit, is one of Africa’s most followed critics of France. Her outspoken views led to her expulsion from Côte d’Ivoire in December 2019. According to the Free Russia Foundation, Yamb participated in an Afric-organized conference in Berlin, co-hosted with the pro-Prigojine Foundation for the Protection of National Values, directed by Alexander Malkevitch—a figure linked to Russian intelligence.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Yamb has openly backed Moscow’s military campaign. She is also a member of Côte d’Ivoire’s Lider party, whose Twitter account amplifies pro-Russian propaganda. While party founder Mamadou Koulibaly has retired from politics, he visited Bamako in March to support Mali’s pro-Russian junta, advocating for the lifting of embargoes to aid those “fighting for sovereignty.”
pro-russian voices in Mali and central africa
In Mali, Adama Diarra—known as “Ben le cerveau”—serves as a pivotal figure in promoting Russian presence. As spokesperson for Yerewolo – Debout sur les remparts, a pro-Russia movement, he confirmed rumors of Wagner Group negotiations with Mali’s government in 2021. Diarra has since organized multiple pro-Russian demonstrations in Bamako and revealed that 50 Russian military experts had been deployed to Mali for over a month to provide strategic assessments.
In the Central African Republic (CAR), Fred Krock runs Lengo Songo, a widely listened radio station reportedly funded by Lobaye Invest—a mining company tied to Wagner. The station amplifies voices like former ambassador Vladimir Titorenko, sociologist Maksim Shugaley, and Aleksandr Ivanov, head of the Community of Officers for International Security (Cosi).
Local figures such as Blaise Didacien Kossimatchi—of the pro-Touadéra “Galaxie nationale” platform—and Harouna Douamba, president of the Lobaye Invest-funded “Aimons notre Afrique,” regularly organize pro-Russian rallies in Bangui.
South Africa’s digital pro-kremlin echo chamber
Beyond francophone Africa, pro-Russian sentiment thrives in South Africa, where the Twitter account of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla—daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma—has popularized the hashtag #istandwithrussia. With over 200,000 followers, her posts frequently condemn NATO and Western “imperialism.”
These influencers and media platforms serve as critical conduits for Kremlin narratives, reinforcing anti-Western sentiments and fostering closer ties between Russia and African nations—often at the expense of traditional partners like France.
