Collage of screenshots of Serbian media articles ‘Why does Russia fascinate Africa: The only white people that didn't bring evil, killing, robbery …’ (Sputnik), ‘Why could the French remain without electricity, due to the coup d'état in Niger?’ (RT), ‘RUSSIA CONQUERS AFRICA?! France was wiped out from the Black Continent, after Niger, it was Gabon’s turn! What's happening?’ and ‘IT IS SIGNED, PUTIN LIBERATES AFRICA! He made a powerful deal with as many as 40 countries!’ (Srbija Danas). Fair use. This analysis by Aleksandar Ivković was originally published by the International and Security Affairs Centre (ISAC), part of the regional initiative Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub. An edited version is republished by Global Voices as part of a partnership agreement. The coup carried out by Niger’s army at the end of July 2023 — and, to a lesser extent, the Russia-Africa summit held in Saint Petersburg — were used by Serbian-language media to promote narratives of growing Russian influence in Africa, claiming that the Kremlin, unlike the West, is a sincere friend of African countries, and is winning the geopolitical battle with the West on this continent. On July 26, Niger’s military overthrew the country’s civilian president, Mohamed Bazum, and established a military junta. It was one of a series of coups in Africa in the last few years and primarily negative news for France. Paris kept troops in this country with a strategically significant position on the continent. In September, it was confirmed that the French army and the country’s ambassador would be withdrawn by the end of the year. Niger is also the country from which France imports 20 percent of its uranium, and the coup has raised concerns about its energy security. On the other hand, as the Carnegie Foundation assessed at the end of August, it is still too early to conclude that Niger will completely reverse its foreign policy, which also included cooperation with the US. For the time being, US troops remained in Niger even after the coup, and, on August 7, acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited the country, albeit in a tense atmosphere. The coup leaders announced that the country would face a transitional period of “no longer than three years,” during which the country’s future orientation would become more explicit. According to information from the second half of August, Niger did not stop the export of uranium to France. Nevertheless, the fact that some of the demonstrators who supported the military coup at the end of July waved Russian flags and carried placards with pro-Russian messages was enough to build a narrative of Russia’s geopolitical victory and the West’s defeat, which later spread to describe the situation in all of Africa. This narrative was widely represented in the Serbian media in the following weeks. Screenshot of Večernje Novosti's article entitled ‘The Black Continent at Boiling Point: Africa Rises against the West,’ fair use. On August 2, the pro-government newspaper Večernje Novosti concluded, based on the statements of two demonstrators who supported the coup, one of whom was dressed in the Russian flag, that “citizens turned to Russia, hoping that it would help them continue after the coup without interference from the West.” The cover image of this article (originally from AP, attributed to Serbian state agency Tanjug) showed another protester holding a placard translated as “Down with France, long live Putin.” The text placed the coup in Niger in a broader context, interpreting it as a sign that “Africa is rising against the West.” Other media also “inserted” the events in Niger into this narrative. “A slap to the West, a big drama in Niger!” is the headline published by the most influential pro-government tabloid in Serbia, Informer, in a piece alleging that the deposed pro-Western president Bazum could be tried for high treason. This same media reported a little earlier that, in Niger, “Putin is gaining new allies.” Screenshot of RT (Russia Today in Serbian) article ‘Why could the French remain without electricity, due to the coup d'état in Niger?’ Fair use. The Serbian edition of the Russian state media Russia Today (RT) also announced that “residents of Niger and other Sahel countries want to see a change in politics, and many of them see Russia as a potential partner for the future.” At the very least, the mentioned media hastened to announce the alignment of Niger with Russia, while the claims about strong pro-Russian sentiments of the local population were based only on a few photos and statements.