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The Islamic State in the Sahel has released an image of the captures made in Adioura after an attack against an Al-Qaeda position, which it referred to using a derogatory religious term. The group claimed that this attack resulted in one death and that two other attacks in the Tahoua and Tillabéri sectors had killed 39 members of the Nigerien forces. https://t.co/ONuCgbqPaF #EI #Sahel #Niger #NE #ML (translated)

Nigeria – how pro-Russian influence networks sell military rule as the answer When Nigerians took to the streets in August 2024 to protest soaring living costs and frustration with government, some demonstrations acquired an unexpected symbol: the Russian flag. In Kano, Kaduna and other northern cities, protesters were filmed carrying Russian colours and calling for Moscow’s intervention. Some demanded a military takeover. What initially looked like an unusual expression of anger has since become part of a much larger picture. A September 2026 assessment by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies describes Nigeria as a major target of overlapping foreign information operations, with Russia the most active external actor in its information space. The report does not identify a single centrally controlled campaign. Instead, it maps an ecosystem in which genuine dissatisfaction over insecurity, corruption and living standards is repeatedly redirected towards a broader proposition: democratic government has failed, while the military-led regimes of the Sahel offer a more effective alternative. Turning a real protest into a pro-Russian message The clearest example emerged during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests. Nigerian investigative reporting found that a Kano-based TikTok influencer with more than 100,000 followers had been paid through a Telegram channel associated with African Initiative, a Moscow-based media operation linked by researchers to Russian influence activity in Africa. The influencer said the channel supplied photographs, videos and talking points for redistribution on TikTok and Instagram. Among the messages provided were phrases such as “Putin please come and save Nigeria” and “The army is the answer for Nigeria”. Influencers were encouraged to use Hausa-language hashtags including #Zangazanga – “protest” – alongside references to Putin and Russia. Investigators identified 38 accounts circulating similar pro-Russian and pro-military narratives during the demonstrations. Russian flags subsequently appeared among protesters in several northern cities. This does not mean the protests themselves were created by Russia. They were driven by genuine economic and political grievances, and Nigerian protesters gave different reasons for carrying Russian flags. The important feature of the influence activity was precisely that it did not need to manufacture the original anger. It could attach a geopolitical message to an existing domestic crisis. From frustration to the idea of military government The narrative fits a wider pattern seen across West Africa. Russia has developed close relations with the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, while pro-Russian media ecosystems routinely portray those states as examples of sovereignty, stability and resistance to Western influence. Nigeria, by contrast, has remained under constitutional civilian government since 1999. Africa Center researchers say information networks targeting Nigerians increasingly contrast these two models. Recurring messages depict elections as wasteful or predetermined, civilian institutions as incapable of protecting citizens and military governments as more decisive on security and development. Some content portrays the Sahelian juntas as delivering better roads, lower prices and stronger security even where available evidence points to continuing or worsening instability. Language is central to the strategy. Hausa is spoken across northern Nigeria and neighbouring Niger, allowing political narratives to travel across borders that are far less important online than they are on maps. HumAngle documented efforts involving Nigerien state-linked actors to cultivate Hausa-speaking journalists and distribute material favourable to Niger’s junta and hostile to France and Western influence. The Russian and Sahelian-junta information ecosystems are not identical, but their narratives frequently reinforce one another. Fake journalists inside real Nigerian media The campaign environment extends beyond social media. A 2026 investigation by Graphika and Code for Africa identified 44 ghost reporters and fake experts whose identities were used to place Russia-aligned narratives in African media. Thirty-eight were assessed with high confidence to be fabricated. Their articles or quotations appeared across 138 websites and were amplified by at least 113 Facebook accounts and Pages. Nigeria was one of the most heavily targeted countries. According to the Africa Center’s analysis of the research, Daily Post Nigeria carried 39 articles involving 14 identified ghost authors. Once published by a genuine Nigerian outlet, such material could then be cited by other websites, social-media accounts or even Russian official channels as though it had originated independently in Africa. This is information laundering rather than simple propaganda: the most valuable asset being borrowed is the credibility of the local newsroom. Generative AI added another layer. OpenAI and Meta separately disrupted a Russia-origin network that produced Africa-focused political content and operated Facebook Pages posing as local media organisations. One fabricated commentator, “Dr Manuel Godsin”, was presented as a European-trained geopolitical expert although investigators found no evidence supporting his academic biography. ChatGPT had been used to generate articles under the persona’s name, while Meta removed 37 Facebook accounts and 29 Pages connected to the broader network. Different networks, similar strategic direction It would be misleading to merge all these activities into a single Russian command structure. The African Initiative-linked influencer campaign, the ghost-reporter network and the AI-enabled operation disrupted by OpenAI and Meta were uncovered separately and used different infrastructure. Public evidence does not demonstrate that every actor reported to the same organisation. What connects them is a recurring set of themes and methods: portraying Western partnerships as exploitative, presenting Russia as an alternative security partner, amplifying failures of civilian government, and giving military-led rule greater legitimacy. Investigative reporting on leaked Russian documents has meanwhile described a much wider influence apparatus operating across Africa, involving political consultants, paid journalists, influencers and locally tailored campaigns intended to reduce Western influence and expand Moscow’s position. The underlying technique is less about inventing dissatisfaction than redirecting it. Nigeria faces real security threats, economic pressure and public frustration. Influence operators do not need to persuade Nigerians that those problems exist. They need only influence the explanation for why they exist – and which political model appears to offer the answer. That is what makes the Nigerian case significant. The most effective propaganda does not necessarily introduce a completely false reality. It takes a real crisis and changes where the audience is encouraged to look for the solution. Sources Africa Center for Strategic Studies — The Raging Information Battle in Nigeria https://africacenter.org/spotlight/the-raging-information-battle-in-nigeria/ Graphika — Umbrae Ex Machina https://www.graphika.com/reports/umbrae-ex-machina OpenAI — Operation “No Bell” https://openai.com/index/disrupting-malicious-uses-of-ai-no-bell/ TheCable — Ghost reporters in African media https://www.thecable.ng/ghost-reporters-how-fabricated-african-voices-carried-pro-russia-narratives/ HumAngle — Nigeria Is Facing an Information War in Its Own Language https://www.humanglemedia.com/nigeria-is-facing-an-information-war-in-its-own-language DAIDAC / CJID — Russian influence during #EndBadGovernance https://daidac.thecjid.org/how-telegram-tiktok-aided-russian-disinformation-that-led-to-incarceration-of-nigerian-minors/ FactCheckHub — How Nigeria’s hunger protest took a radical turn https://factcheckhub.com/from-economic-protests-to-coup-agitation-how-nigerias-hunger-march-took-a-radical-turn/ News24 — Fake Kremlin-linked analyst planted stories in African media https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/ai-expert-exposed-fake-kremlin-linked-analyst-planted-stories-in-african-media-20260318-0560 Vanguard — AI ‘expert’ exposed https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/03/ai-expert-exposed-fake-kremlin-linked-analyst-planted-stories-in-african-media/ Africa Confidential — How Moscow wages social media war https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/15961/how-moscow-wages-social-media-war Keywords #DISINFORMED #Episode15 #Nigeria #Russia #RussianInfluence #RussianDisinformation #Africa #WestAfrica #Disinformation #InformationWarfare #InfluenceOperations #ForeignInterference #FIMI #Propaganda #MilitaryRule #MilitaryGovernment #Democracy #PoliticalManipulation #NarrativeManipulation #AfricanInitiative #EndBadGovernance #Hausa #LocalInfluencers #GhostReporters #FakeExperts #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #AIPersonas #SyntheticMedia #AIPropaganda #Astroturfing #SocialMediaManipulation #Telegram #TikTok #DigitalInfluence #SourceLaundering #NarrativeLaundering #MediaManipulation #Sahel #Geopolitics #OSINT #WRLD

AFRICA DAILY REPORT — 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 Major developments reported during the previous 24 hours. 1. ETHIOPIA — Renewed fighting spreads across the north Federal and Tigrayan forces are again engaged in major hostilities, with fighting extending beyond Tigray. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire amid the escalation and concerns over renewed conflict. Source: https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/ethiopian-airlines-cancels-flights-tigray-amid-concerns-renewed-136676469 2. DR CONGO — Ebola outbreak continues to expand Updated European CDC data reported 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths, with Ituri remaining the most affected province and North Kivu also recording substantial transmission. Public-health impact: Critical. Source: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/ebola-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-and-uganda 3. DR CONGO — Fatal violence during Ebola burial highlights resistance to response teams One person was killed and several wounded after security forces opened fire during unrest surrounding the burial of a suspected Ebola victim in Beni. The incident illustrates the public-trust and security challenges complicating containment efforts. Public-health/security impact: Very High. Source (Reuters report): https://www.internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/09/24/one-dead-after-security-forces-open-fire-during-ebola-burial-in-congo-sources-say 4. SUDAN — RSF intensifies drone attacks in North Kordofan Reuters reported a renewed campaign of drone strikes against government-held towns in North Kordofan, including attacks affecting Um Ruwaba and El Obeid. Drones are playing an increasingly important role in Sudan's war. Humanitarian/security impact: Very High. Source (Reuters): https://www.internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/09/24/sudan-s-rsf-steps-up-deadly-drone-attacks-on-frontline-cities 5. MOROCCO — PAM finishes first in parliamentary election Preliminary official results gave the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) 97 of 395 seats, followed by the National Rally of Independents with 66, Istiqlal with 65 and the Justice and Development Party with 54. Source (official Moroccan government portal): https://maroc.ma/en/news/2026-legislative-elections-pam-leads-97-seats-according-preliminary-results-minister-interior 6. NIGERIA–UNITED STATES — New framework for mining investment Nigeria and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding covering geological data and exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure and technical capacity. Economic/strategic impact: High. Source (Channels Television): https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/24/nigeria-us-sign-mineral-investment-pact/ 7. NIGER — Madaouela uranium agreement increases state participation Niger and Atomic Eagle finalized an agreement concerning the Madaouela uranium project, with the arrangement providing for Nigerien state participation and renewed activity at the project. Economic/strategic impact: High. Source: https://www.nigertoday.com/articles/en/niger-and-atomic-eagle-finalize-madaouela-uranium-deal-ending-dispute.html 8. SOUTH AFRICA — Financing costs constrain $98 billion energy-transition programme South Africa warned at the UN Climate Summit that high borrowing costs and shrinking international grants are limiting its clean-energy transition. A $550 million credit guarantee has been secured to attract private investment in electricity transmission. Economic/energy impact: High. Source (SABC News): https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1163387-2/ 9. GHANA — COCOBOD seeks $1.4 billion domestically to finance cocoa purchases Ghana Cocoa Board is seeking to raise 16.3 billion cedis ($1.4 billion) from domestic investors to finance cocoa purchases for the upcoming season, shifting more financing toward Ghana's domestic capital market. Economic impact: High. Source (Reuters report republished by Business Recorder): https://www.brecorder.com/news/40440904/ghanas-cocoa-regulator-pitches-usd14bn-domestic-financing-plan 10. UGANDA — Refugee programme remains heavily underfunded Uganda's response plan for more than two million refugees remains substantially underfunded, increasing pressure on food, healthcare, water, sanitation and host communities. Humanitarian impact: High. Source (Uganda Business News): https://ugbusiness.com/2026/09/politics-policy/ugandas-refugee-plan-is-a-third-funded-as-kampala-seeks-eu-help #Africa #AfricaNews #TopNewsOfAfrica #Ethiopia #Tigray #NorthernEthiopia #EthiopiaConflict #HornOfAfrica #RegionalSecurity #AfricanSecurity #Nigeria #UnitedStates #NigeriaUS #MiningInvestment #CriticalMinerals #MineralDevelopment #MiningSector #GeologicalData #StrategicMinerals #AfricanEconomy #Ghana #COCOBOD #Cocoa #CocoaIndustry #Chocolate #CocoaFinance #Agriculture #Agribusiness #DomesticMarkets #CapitalMarkets #Trade #Investment #EconomicDevelopment #Geopolitics #AfricaToday #wrldorg

#Niger-Situation ce 29/08 19h50 TU D’après mes informations : • La garde présidentielle a repris le contrôle de la base aérienne des mains des mutins . • ⁠Plusieurs mutins ont été tués • ⁠D’autres mutins ont été arrêtés . • ⁠Les russes ont soutenu les forces loyalistes . • ⁠Les chefs des juntes du Mali et du Burkina Faso ont appelé au téléphone leur homologue Nigérien le général A.Tiani. • ⁠Des ratissages en ville. • ⁠Ube déclaration officielle attendue #Niger #Politique #Sécurité

Liderii Comunității Economice a Statelor Africii de Vest (CEDEAO) au aprobat construirea gazoductului Nigeria-Maroc, un proiect de 23 de miliarde de euro care va transporta gaze nigeriene prin 13 țări africane către Maroc și ulterior către Europa, cu lucrările programate să înceapă în 2028. #Nigeria #Maroc #gazoduct

Donald Trump a anunțat eliminarea lui Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, al doilea lider al Statului Islamic, într-o operațiune comună realizată de forțele SUA și cele nigeriene în Nigeria, subliniind că aceasta va reduce semnificativ capacitățile operaționale ale grupării teroriste la nivel global. #DonaldTrump #Nigeria #StatIslamic

Președintele SUA, Donald Trump, a anunțat eliminarea lui Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, al doilea în comandă al ISIS, în urma unei operațiuni coordonate între forțele armate americane și cele nigeriene, subliniind impactul semnificativ asupra operațiunilor globale ale grupării teroriste. #Trump #ISIS #Nigeria