Chadian authorities have arrested several Russian operatives on suspicion of attempting to sway the country's presidential election in favour of Moscow.
The operatives, who were working for the Russian influence network Africa Politology, were detained in September 2024, just days before the election. They had been active in Chad since 2021, building ties with Chadian authorities and spreading anti-Western narratives. The documents reviewed by an international media consortium show that the operatives were also targeting opposition figure Succès Masra, promoting the idea that tension between President Mahamat Idriss Déby and Masra was necessary.
According to the documents, the operatives were posing as investors and sought meetings with officials ahead of the election. They also gave the treasurer of a group supporting President Déby 20 polo shirts bearing Russian and Chadian flags. The actions formed part of a broader strategy to shift Chad from Western influence and towards Moscow.
The election was won by President Déby, but the tactics used by the Russian operatives have raised questions about the country's democratic process. The incident has also highlighted the growing influence of Russia in the Sahel region.
The Chadian authorities have yet to comment on the arrests, but the incident is likely to have significant implications for the country's relations with Western powers.
The brazen attempt by Russian operatives to sway Chad's presidential election is a stark reminder of the growing influence of Moscow in Africa. The tactics used by the operatives, including spreading anti-Western narratives and targeting opposition figures, are a clear attempt to undermine democracy in Chad. The incident highlights the need for African countries to be vigilant against foreign interference in their internal affairs.
