Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes7 Nov 2025

Russia’s hybrid war in Africa

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

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