Senegal’s Digital Democracy Under Siege: New Report Details Sophisticated Foreign Interference Campaigns

DAKAR – A landmark study has exposed the systematic and sophisticated nature of foreign information manipulation targeting Senegal, a nation long considered a bastion of democratic stability in West Africa. The report, a collaboration between the pan-African NGO AfricTivistes and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), reveals how external actors exploit structural weaknesses to influence public opinion and political processes.

Beyond Disinformation: A Multi-Pronged Assault on Sovereignty

The analysis, covering the critical period between the 2019 and 2024 presidential elections, moves beyond simple narratives of “fake news.” It frames the threat as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)—a coordinated strategy blending cyber operations, media manipulation, and diplomatic soft power. While Senegal scores a relatively resilient 60 out of 100 on the report’s index, the findings indicate this resilience is being actively tested by well-resourced foreign campaigns.

“The interference is not merely about spreading falsehoods,” the analysis suggests. “It is about shaping narratives, exacerbating societal divisions, and ultimately undermining trust in democratic institutions to create a permissive environment for external influence.”

Exploiting the Cracks: Technological, Media, and Institutional Vulnerabilities

The report identifies three primary vectors through which Senegal’s democratic space is being penetrated:

1. The Unregulated Digital Frontier

The lack of stringent regulation for digital platforms has created a playground for bad actors. The study details the exploitation of personal data for micro-targeting and the algorithmic amplification of divisive content, particularly during election cycles. It cites the specific use of Facebook for targeted disinformation campaigns during the 2019 elections as a key case study.

2. The Precarious Fourth Estate

Senegal’s vibrant but economically strained media landscape presents another vulnerability. The financial dependence of some traditional outlets makes them susceptible to foreign funding and influence, which can skew coverage and deepen political polarization, often under the guise of legitimate partnership or advertising.

3. Gaps in the Legal Armor

Perhaps most critically, the report highlights significant lacunae in Senegal’s legal framework. Laws regulating political advertising, foreign funding of media content, and transparency in online political campaigns are either weak or non-existent, creating a regulatory vacuum easily exploited by interference operations.

The Actors: A Global Cast Exerting Influence

The report maps a complex ecosystem of foreign influence. It moves past generic accusations to name specific entities and their alleged roles:

State-Backed Media & Soft Power: Russian outlets like RT and Sputnik, alongside China’s StarTimes, are identified as vehicles for narrative shaping. This is coupled with the broader soft power efforts of nations like Russia, France, and China, deployed through cultural institutes, educational exchanges, and diplomatic outreach.

Private Mercenary Firms: The analysis points to the involvement of specialized private companies in executing technical operations. These include:

• Archimedes Group (Israel): Allegedly linked to massive disinformation campaigns in May 2019.
• StateCraft Inc. (Nigeria): Cited for developing and deploying influence strategies.
• Spallian (France): Named in connection with data-mining operations during the 2019 electoral period.

This blend of state and private, overt and covert tactics illustrates the hybrid and deniable nature of modern information warfare.

A Blueprint for Resilience: Recommendations for a Sovereign Future

Confronted with this multifaceted threat, the report concludes with a urgent call to action and a concrete roadmap for building national resilience:

• For the State: Enact and enforce robust laws mandating transparency for political and electoral advertising, especially that funded from abroad. Strengthen cross-agency coordination for monitoring and responding to FIMI threats.
• For Media: Develop sustainable business models to ensure editorial independence. Implement clear, mandatory labeling for any content sponsored or funded by foreign state entities.
• For Civil Society & the Public: Scale up digital literacy programs that go beyond fact-checking to teach critical analysis of information sources and manipulation techniques. Support independent, local research into information risks.

The overarching message is clear: defending Senegal’s democracy is no longer just about securing ballot boxes, but also about securing its information ecosystem. The report serves as both a stark warning and a vital toolkit for one of Africa’s key democracies to safeguard its sovereignty in the digital age.

This report is based on the primary source analysis: “AfricTivistes and International IDEA Report, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in Senegal (July 2025).” The full report can be accessed here.