The news agency African Initiative works to disseminate and promote classic anti-Western and pro-Kremlin propaganda through its various channels (websites and social media accounts), in several languages, including French says the report. The agency is led by individuals suspected of having ties to the Russian intelligence services (RIS) suggesting that the structure is a front, unofficially administered by the RIS to disseminate propaganda.
A perusal of the news agency's website reveals a media entity that is open to re-publishing news reports by other media with an eye that skews its reportage in favour of Moscow and a negative slant towards the US and the Trump administration.
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Most preferred content is the kind that reminds the world of Western Europe's neo-colonialism on the African continent and Russia's 'friendly attitude' towards Africa.
One of the stories on the agency's website is headlined; Russia to deliver mobile anti-epidemic laboratory to Burkina Faso. The reporting reinforces Russia's interest in Burkina Faso and a readiness to help a country heavily criticized by the West following its broking links with France after the 2022 coup.
The story says during his visit to Burkina Faso, Russian Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilyov handed over a certificate for a mobile anti-epidemic laboratory, developed by Rospotrebnadzor, to the country's President Ibrahim Traore. As specified, the laboratory is fully manufactured in Russia and is capable of conducting up to 800 tests per day for more than 20 infectious diseases, including especially dangerous ones. The delivery is part of the co-operation programme with African countries to combat epidemics, implemented at the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation.
Another piece reads Guinea-Bissau minister: Moscow has always supported Africa. And the story reads Russia has always supported Africa throughout its development, and today contacts with Moscow are helping the continent to rid itself of the influence of Western neo-colonialism, said Guinea-Bissau Minister of Natural Resources Malam Sambu on the sidelines of the conference Russia's industrial and economic potential in the context of developing trade co-operation with the African continent.
The story goes ahead to quote the minister thus;
"Speaking about the advantages of working with Russia, we recall that it has always been by our side and supported us. We want to develop these contacts, and in this way we stop thinking about Western neo-colonialism. Of course, we are ready to co-operate with new regions, ready to visit Russia. These visits must be organised for further joint work. It is simply necessary to arrange these trips so that we can see the [Russian] regions and start co-operating,"
The event, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Togo-Russian Group, brought together politicians and business representatives from Russia, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Bissau and other African countries- the story reads.