Africa Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Russia’s Recruitment Policy Shift in Africa: Strategic Motives and Implications for Military Recruitment

Recent revelations that Russia introduced a blacklist” of countries where recruitment for the Russian military is prohibited—while leaving several African states outside the ban—indicate a recalibration rather than a retreat…

March 5, 2026Africa, Russia

Conflict Corruption Intelligence ops Propaganda and Disinformation

Africa’s Recruitment into Russia’s War in Ukraine: Actors, Drivers, Impact, and Implications

Recent intelligence reports and media investigations reveal that Russia has recruited significant numbers of fighters from several African countries to serve in its war against Ukraine, a practice that has attracted…

February 23, 2026Africa, Russia, Ukraine

- Geopolitics Governance

Africa at the Margins: How U.S. Policy Shifts Create Openings for China and Russia

In early 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Frank W. Garcia Jr., a Republican congressional aide with limited Africa experience, to be Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, the…

February 4, 2026Africa, USA

Geopolitics Intelligence ops Psyops

Russia Expands Its “Russian Houses” Network in Africa — and Staffs It With Former Mercenaries

Yevgeny Primakov Jr., head of Rossotrudnichestvo, claims that the Wagner Group was involved in opening “Russian Houses” in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali. It is also reported that around 26…

January 13, 2026Africa, Russia, Wagner Group

Geopolitics Propaganda and Disinformation

Blocking Moscow’s Outreach: Preventing African Participation in the Russia–Africa Ministerial Conference

Participation of African countries in the Second Russia–Africa Ministerial Conference in Egypt carries both direct and indirect risks for their governments. These risks include being used in Kremlin propaganda and…

November 14, 2025Africa, Russia, Sanctions

Geopolitics

Vacuum of Influence: Western Withdrawal and the Rise of New Powers in Africa”

The major European countries and the United States have been drawing back from Africa since the end of the Cold War. The situation for the United States is somewhat different than…

October 24, 2025Africa, USA

Intelligence ops Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops

How Russian Propaganda Works in Africa: Structure, Operators, and Countermeasures

Russia’s growing presence in Africa has not only been achieved through traditional diplomacy and military cooperation, but also through a wide-ranging propaganda campaign. This information warfare, designed to cultivate pro-Russian…

August 4, 2025Africa, Russia, Wagner Group

Democracy Geopolitics War crimes

Russia and African Workers in the Defense Industry: A New Chapter in Neo-Colonialism

1. Introduction As the Kremlin confronts a labor shortage fueled by military mobilization and escalating economic isolation, Russia has increasingly turned to foreign nationals—especially from African nations—to sustain its defense-industrial…

June 17, 2025Africa, Russia

Must Read PDF

NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS AND ILLICIT ECONOMIES IN WEST AFRICA

his report explores how armed groups gain or lose become less necessary in shaping community behaviours that facilitate armed group operations. This report is the fourth in the ‘Non-state armed…

February 6, 2025Africa

Democracy ideology Intelligence ops Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops War crimes

Shadow Diplomacy: Russia’s Strategies to Whitewash Atrocities and Expand Influence in Africa

Russia has been actively working to whitewash its atrocities in Africa, leveraging a mix of propaganda, disinformation campaigns, diplomatic maneuvering, and economic influence. Despite accusations of human rights abuses and…

November 18, 2024Africa, Russia

Africa