How Fake Support Was Manufactured Online

Introduction

From 2018 onward, one of the most important documented deception campaigns connected to the Central African Republic was not a traditional hoax but a coordinated effort to manufacture the appearance of popular support. Investigators, technology companies, journalists and later a former participant all described networks that presented foreign-backed political messaging as if it were spontaneous local enthusiasm. Fake media outlets, false online identities, coordinated social-media accounts and even staged public demonstrations were used to create the impression that large numbers of Central Africans independently supported Russian involvement, opposed Western influence, or backed specific political goals. The central deception was not simply the message itself. It was the concealment of who was actually organising and funding the campaign.[stanford.edu]purl.stanford.eduStanford PURLEvidence of Russia-Linked Influence Operations in Africa11 Nov 2022 — In this post we identify a Facebook operation attribut…

These operations matter within the history of deception in the Central African Republic because they illustrate a modern form of political fakery: instead of inventing a monster, forging an artefact or spreading a fabricated legend, organisers attempted to fabricate public opinion itself.[AP News]apnews.comAP News A former staffer exposes how Russia's disinformationAP NewsA former staffer exposes how Russia's disinformation…November 21, 2024 — 21 Nov 2024 — Whistleblower Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, who…Published: November 21, 2024

The Networks Behind the False Identities

The most widely documented campaigns were linked by investigators to structures associated with Russian influence operations and, in several cases, to networks connected to businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group. Researchers from the Stanford Internet Observatory, Graphika and Meta identified coordinated clusters of accounts targeting the Central African Republic and other African countries. These accounts often posed as ordinary citizens, local activists, journalists or community organisations while concealing their real coordination.[stanford.edu]purl.stanford.eduStanford PURLEvidence of Russia-Linked Influence Operations in Africa11 Nov 2022 — In this post we identify a Facebook operation attribut…

The aim was not merely to publish pro-Russian content. The networks attempted to simulate genuine public discussion. A reader encountering dozens of apparently unrelated accounts repeating the same arguments could easily conclude that a broad grassroots movement existed. In reality, investigators found evidence that many of the accounts were centrally managed and engaged in what social-media platforms describe as “coordinated inauthentic behaviour”—organised activity that hides its true origin.[theguardian.com]theguardian.comcentral african republic facebook disinformation france russiaThe GuardianRival disinformation campaigns targeted African users…15 Dec 2020 — Company said it removed almost 500 accounts and pages…

Investigations also uncovered a wider ecosystem of websites, online publications and organisations that appeared independent but were allegedly connected through common operators. Some presented themselves as African news outlets or civil-society initiatives while advancing remarkably similar political narratives. Researchers described this as an attempt to create an entire information environment that looked local even when significant direction came from elsewhere.[Wikipedia]WikipediaList of political disinformation website campaignsList of political disinformation website campaigns

How Planted Media and Staged Events Worked

The campaign did not rely solely on social media. According to later whistleblower testimony and investigative reporting, articles were drafted, adapted and distributed through local newspapers and websites in ways designed to blur the distinction between independent journalism and sponsored messaging. Stories favourable to Russian actors or hostile to Western governments could then be cited and recirculated as supposedly authentic news coverage.[lemonde.fr]lemonde.frNgonzo's work supported President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's regime, including falsifying public support for constitutional changes that…

Former participant Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a Central African journalist who later spoke publicly about his role, described a system in which prepared narratives were supplied to local media contacts and republished under different names. According to his account, multiple newspapers carried material originating from the same influence network, making coordinated messaging appear to be the product of separate editorial decisions.[Le Monde.fr]lemonde.frNgonzo's work supported President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's regime, including falsifying public support for constitutional changes that…

Investigators also reported the use of staged demonstrations. Public gatherings that appeared to express spontaneous support for Russia or hostility toward rival foreign powers were, according to whistleblower accounts, sometimes organised behind the scenes and amplified through media coverage. Once photographs and videos circulated online, the events could be presented as proof of widespread public sentiment. The demonstration became both a political event and a propaganda product.[lemonde.fr]lemonde.frNgonzo's work supported President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's regime, including falsifying public support for constitutional changes that…

This technique exploited a simple psychological shortcut. People often judge popularity by visible signals: crowds, banners, newspaper headlines and repeated online messages. If enough of those signals point in the same direction, a manufactured campaign can begin to resemble a genuine social movement.

What Platform Investigations Uncovered

The most significant public exposure came from investigations by Facebook’s parent company Meta, together with independent researchers. In 2020, Facebook removed hundreds of accounts, pages and groups linked to rival influence operations targeting African countries, including the Central African Republic. The company concluded that many accounts were concealing their real operators and coordinating activity in ways that violated platform rules.[theguardian.com]theguardian.comcentral african republic facebook disinformation france russiaThe GuardianRival disinformation campaigns targeted African users…15 Dec 2020 — Company said it removed almost 500 accounts and pages…

Researchers examining the networks found recurring patterns:

The significance of these findings was not that every message was necessarily false. Some posts contained real events or genuine political opinions. The deceptive element lay in the hidden coordination and the effort to disguise organised influence as organic public participation. This distinction is crucial. A propaganda campaign can rely on selective truths while still misleading audiences about who is speaking and why.[Stanford PURL]purl.stanford.eduStanford PURLEvidence of Russia-Linked Influence Operations in Africa11 Nov 2022 — In this post we identify a Facebook operation attribut…

The Whistleblower Who Described the System from Inside

For several years, much of the evidence came from platform investigations and external researchers. A major development occurred in 2024 when journalist Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo publicly described his involvement in influence operations linked to Wagner-affiliated structures in the Central African Republic. His testimony provided a rare insider account of how the machinery functioned.[lemonde.fr]lemonde.frNgonzo's work supported President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's regime, including falsifying public support for constitutional changes that…

According to his account, he was recruited to place favourable stories, coordinate media contacts, help organise demonstrations and promote narratives supporting Russian interests and the government of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. He described payments to journalists and efforts to ensure that similar messages appeared across multiple outlets. His claims were examined and reported by international media organisations working with leaked documents and additional witnesses.[forbiddenstories.org]forbiddenstories.orgForbidden StoriesIn the Central African Republic, a former propagandist lifts…21 Nov 2024 — Central African journalist Ephrem Yalike o…

The value of the testimony was not that it revealed a single fabricated story. Instead, it illustrated the broader mechanism through which an appearance of public consensus could be manufactured. What many readers saw as independent voices were, according to the evidence presented, often components of a coordinated campaign.[pplaaf.org]pplaaf.orgrussian disinformation methods in the central african republicrussian disinformation methods in the central african republic

Why These Campaigns Believed They Could Succeed

The Central African Republic offered conditions that influence operators considered favourable. The country has experienced repeated conflict, weak institutions, limited media resources and intense competition among foreign powers seeking influence. In such environments, information can become a strategic asset.[Crisis Group]crisisgroup.orgrussias influence central african republicCAR, prompting Facebook to suspend hundreds of fake accounts linked to Russian and French authorities. In recent months, small street…

A campaign does not need to persuade everyone. It only needs to create uncertainty, shape discussion or convince enough people that a particular position enjoys overwhelming support. By blending genuine grievances, authentic political debates and manufactured signals of popularity, organisers could make foreign-backed narratives appear rooted in local opinion.[africacenter.org]africacenter.orgmapping a surge of disinformation in africamapping a surge of disinformation in africa

The result was a form of deception different from older political propaganda. Rather than openly promoting a sponsor, the campaign attempted to hide the sponsor and present organised messaging as grassroots sentiment.

Why the Story Matters

The exposure of these operations has become one of the most significant documented cases of modern political fakery associated with the Central African Republic. Unlike rumours or legends whose truth remains uncertain, the existence of coordinated networks, false identities and concealed sponsorship has been established through platform investigations, academic research, journalistic inquiries and insider testimony.[stanford.edu]purl.stanford.eduStanford PURLEvidence of Russia-Linked Influence Operations in Africa11 Nov 2022 — In this post we identify a Facebook operation attribut…

The lasting lesson is that modern deception often targets perception rather than facts alone. A fabricated newspaper, a fake activist account or a carefully staged rally can create the illusion that public opinion already exists. In the Central African Republic, investigators concluded that some influence campaigns were designed precisely to produce that illusion: organised foreign political messaging disguised as spontaneous local support.[forbiddenstories.org]forbiddenstories.orgForbidden StoriesIn the Central African Republic, a former propagandist lifts…21 Nov 2024 — Central African journalist Ephrem Yalike o…

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to How Fake Support Was Manufactured Online. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

Book

Likewar

By Peter Warren Singer, Emerson T. Brooking

Directly addresses the tactics behind manufactured online support.

See on Amazon

Book

This Is Not Propaganda

By Peter Pomerantsev

Closely matches themes of fake identities and orchestrated narratives.

See on Amazon

Book

How Propaganda Works

By Jason Stanley

Explains the mechanisms of political persuasion and deception.

See on Amazon

Book

The Road to Unfreedom

By Timothy Snyder

Discusses modern influence campaigns and information manipulation.

See on Amazon

Browse more on Amazon:LikewarThis Is Not PropagandaHow Propaganda Works

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

eBay marketplace picks

Marketplace Samples

Live-tested eBay searches with available results related to this page.

Shop location

UsingUSA USA USAUKCanadaAustraliaIreland

Example eBay listing

Ancient Central Asia art Framed Art Framed Wall Art Poster Canvas Print Picture

SearcheBay.co.uk: Central Asia wall art

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Example eBay listing

Performing the Visual Buddhist Wall Painting China Central Asia Fraser Dunhuang

SearcheBay.co.uk: Central Asia wall art

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Example eBay listing

2004 CIA Map of East Asia Wall Art Poster Print Decor Home School Office History

SearcheBay.co.uk: Central Asia wall art

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Example eBay listing

1806 Map Tartary Central Asia Mongolia Tartaria Tartarie Wall Art Poster Print

SearcheBay.co.uk: Central Asia wall art

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Browse more oneBay.co.uk

Example items shown for inspiration; availability and pricing can change. Branchoria may earn a commission if you purchase through outbound eBay links.

Endnotes

1. Source: purl.stanford.edu
Link:https://purl.stanford.edu/yh993mk2487

2. Source: axios.com
Title: influence operations africa facebook france russia
Link:https://www.axios.com/2020/12/16/influence-operations-africa-facebook-france-russia

3. Source: Wikipedia
Title: List of political disinformation website campaigns
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_disinformation_website_campaigns

4. Source: pplaaf.org
Title: russian disinformation methods in the central african republic
Link:https://www.pplaaf.org/cases/russian-disinformation-methods-in-the-central-african-republic.html

5. Source: facebook.com
Title: in 2019 russia said it would cooperate with african states in the field of infor
Link:https://www.facebook.com/EUinLesotho/posts/in-2019-russia-said-it-would-cooperate-with-african-states-in-the-field-of-infor/269280165730578/

6. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/AfricaConfidential/posts/a-leak-of-75-secret-russian-memos-about-the-kremlins-propaganda-offensive-in-afr/1556281216500341/

7. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/euronews/videos/fake-euronews-videos-used-for-war-disinfo/1259425103005371/

8. Source: theguardian.com
Title: central african republic facebook disinformation france russia
Link:https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/15/central-african-republic-facebook-disinformation-france-russia

9. Source: crisisgroup.org
Title: russias influence central african republic
Link:https://www.crisisgroup.org/cmt/africa/central-african-republic/russias-influence-central-african-republic

10. Source: apnews.com
Title: AP News A former staffer exposes how Russia’s disinformation
Link:https://apnews.com/article/wagner-russia-africa-whistleblower-disinformation-central-african-republic-35445ef04568b65763180246019c102b

Published: November 21, 2024

11. Source: forbiddenstories.org
Link:https://forbiddenstories.org/in-the-central-african-republic-a-former-propagandist-lifts-the-veil-on-the-inner-workings-of-russian-disinformation/

12. Source: africacenter.org
Link:https://africacenter.org/spotlight/russian-disinformation-campaigns-target-africa-interview-shelby-grossman/

13. Source: lemonde.fr
Link:https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2024/11/21/confessions-of-a-repentant-wagner-disinformation-agent-from-the-central-african-republic_6733535_124.html

14. Source: lemonde.fr
Link:https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2024/11/21/confessions-of-a-repentant-wagner-disinformation-agent-from-the-central-african-republic_6733535_124.html?srsltid=AfmBOorcsvrwGxa0BxalGOXrBR0JhejwTSPquJrxwlSLrhyR7UFkORdL

15. Source: apnews.com
Link:https://apnews.com/article/35445ef04568b65763180246019c102b

16. Source: africacenter.org
Title: mapping a surge of disinformation in africa
Link:https://africacenter.org/spotlight/mapping-a-surge-of-disinformation-in-africa/

17. Source: forbiddenstories.org
Link:https://forbiddenstories.org/propaganda-machine-secret-documents-reveal-russias-foreign-influence-strategy-across-three-continents/

Additional References

18. Source: youtube.com
Title: Pro-Russia protesters rally in Central African Republic
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KNWPaN11kA

19. Source: youtube.com
Title: Africa’s hidden war: Wagner vs. France
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdr5CTQ1pC0

20. Source: almendron.com
Title: russia wants more influence in africa its using disinformation to get there
Link:https://www.almendron.com/tribuna/russia-wants-more-influence-in-africa-its-using-disinformation-to-get-there/

21. Source: youtube.com
Title: Russian disinformation in the Central African Republic
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWuoXfRSArU

22. Source: youtube.com
Title: Russian Soft Power in The CAR
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guUPnQeVj0Q

23. Source: youtube.com
Title: Central African Republic: Russia’s Testing Ground
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ORt4Spihw

24. Source: committees.parliament.uk
Title: uk Written evidence
Link:https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/137852/html/