2026-10-10T19:21:21Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33941917 2026-09-19T08:43:25Z category_27694 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Dataset for paper <b>Performing Post-Subalternity: Russia’s Information Warfare in Africa</b> Martin Larys (25075450) Karel Svoboda (25075458) Political science not elsewhere classified Russia Information Warfare <p dir="ltr">Why does Russia engage in anti-Western information warfare in Africa despite lacking the economic capacity to replace Western actors? This article argues that Russia’s information warfare constitutes a practice of post-subalternity through which Moscow seeks recognition as an autonomous civilizational pole. Africa serves as an arena in which Russia performs and seeks validation for this desired identity. Drawing on a qualitative content analysis of the Russian para-statal media outlet African Initiative in the Sahel, we identify three interconnected dimensions of this practice: delegitimizing the West to establish Russia’s moral superiority, constructing Russia’s civilizational legitimacy, and staging external recognition through African voices. Russia portrays the West as neo-colonial, exploitative actor, while presenting itself as a protector of sovereignty and anti-colonial emancipation. Information warfare enables Russia to perform and seek recognition for a post-subaltern identity that its limited material and institutional capabilities remain insufficient to sustain.</p> 2026-09-19T08:43:25Z Dataset Dataset 10.6084/m9.figshare.33941917.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Dataset_for_paper_b_Performing_Post-Subalternity_Russia_s_Information_Warfare_in_Africa_b_/33941917 CC BY 4.0