Information Warfare

Information manipulation and interference is not a novel phenomenon but one that has escalated in the digital age across the world including in Africa. Trends show that this information disorder is present in both offline and online networks, which also feed into each other. The spread of Foreign Information Manipu-lation and Interference (FIMI) and disinformation also escalates during periods that attract heightened public debate such as elections and incidences of unrest. … As in other continents, many African countries are experiencing a downward trend in freedom of expression and access to information. Both state and non-state actors abuse human rights despite existing frameworks protecting freedom of expression and access to information.

While rumors circulate about the Kremlin’s crypt-keeper chilling in a deep freeze, violent mobs in Daghestan attempted a pogrom-like attack. Mean-while, EUvsDiSiNFO database edges over 16,000 cases of unceasing pro-Kremlin disinformation. For the moment, the Russian disinformation ecosystem appears to have resigned to leave the tales of frozen people in an internal deep freeze, perhaps hoping to thaw them one day. As for now, they are concentrating their efforts on other, if nevertheless familiar, narratives. Moscow has cozied up to Hamas terrorists(opens in a new tab) and spread disin-formation about Hamas’ attack on Israel. These actions beg the question whether the anti-semitic outburst in Daghestan is a warning sign of the chickens coming home to roost. Moscow might be unable to control the situation as the war in Ukraine continues to drain Russian security forces.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation praises Russia’s real or imaginary friends, attempts to placate people at home, distracts from Russia’s quagmire in Ukraine, blames the West for all the worlds’ ills, and spews conspiracy theories and doomsday prophecies. As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues, pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets are desperate to diversify their palate with any topics that could draw the focus away from Russia’s quagmire in Ukrainian territory. The world is seized by uncertainty and the Kremlin seeks to exploit these tumultuous times to spread its disinformation, distractions, and deceit. This week, we can narrow down the Kremlin’s disinformation stories to two main axioms. First, life in Russia is better than ever and it is surrounded by friends who unflinchingly support the Kremlin. Second, everything that the ‘evil West’ touches turns to dust. Hence, its downfall is inevitable.

In terms of disinformation designed to be effective against various countries at once- and in which the alternative media as well as the traditional mainstream media are put to optimum use – the so-called “ethnic weapon” story must rate as one of the most effective to date. Certainly in Africa, and seemingly in Asia, it has gained credibility through sheer repetition, endorsing the belief of Soviet disinformation experts that if a story is repeated often enough, particularly to an unsophisticated audience, it will eventually gain credibility no matter how implausible or bizarre it is. The ethnic weapon story is a particularly good example of disinformation in that one theme was concocted, variations of it were created, and the resulting stories cleverly disseminated to embarrass three “hostile” countries at the same time the United States of America, Israel and South Africa.