19 May 2025

14:00-15:30

Brussels

The Russian war of invasion in Ukraine and the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin confirmed that Africa was to remain a major priority of Moscow’s external policy, its assets on the continent being reinforced up until this day, even with difficulties at home. As we unravel Russian strategies of influence and political interference, we often miss the agency of African actors: what can we understand from their behaviour regarding Moscow? Are they puppets in the New Cold War or are they manipulating superpowers for their own agenda? As always, the answer lies in between.

Drawing from a typology of Western African actors which seems to act in accordance with Moscow’s strategic goals, Jonathan Guiffard will present key factors that can explain the motivations and the political agendas of these African actors, especially the expected gain of promoting Russian narratives in local political arenas and the meeting of conservative values on both sides.

The Egmont Institute is pleased to have Jonathan Guiffard, Associate Researcher in the French Institute of Geopolitics (IFG, Paris VIII University) and a Senior Fellow in the Institute Montaigne presenting on his research.  Drawing from a typology of Western African actors which seems to act in accordance with Moscow’s strategic goals, Mr Guiffard will present key factors that can explain the motivations and the political agendas of these African actors, especially the expected gain of promoting Russian narratives in local political arenas and the meeting of conservative values on both sides.

Please note that this is an in-person event.

Register here