Russia’s hybrid war in Africa
Mark Leonard welcomes Will Brown and Beverly Ochieng to discuss what Russia’s growing influence in the Sahel means for Europe
In recent years, military juntas have replaced democratically elected governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. These have expelled European forces and welcomed Russian mercenaries—yet stability in these countries remains elusive.
This week, Mark is joined by Will Brown, senior policy fellow in ECFR’s Africa programme and author of the recent policy brief “The Bear and the Bot Farm: Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare in Africa”, and Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at global risk consultancy Control Risks. Together, they unpack Russia’s ambitions in Africa and the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Sahel.
How does Moscow’s vast propaganda machine continue to shape public opinion in the region? How is the Kremlin using disinformation to expand its influence? And what options remain for Europe in a region where its power is fast fading?
Bookshelf:
The Bear and the Bot Farm: Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare in Africa by Will Brown
The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination by Stuart A. Reid
Attack on Titan (TV Series 2013–2023)
Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop
The Strong Brown God: The Story of the Niger River by Sanche de Gramont
This episode was recorded on November 5th 2025
