Russian Intelligence accuses Macron of plotting ‘political revenge’ in Africa as French influence declines
The Press Bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) has issued a scathing report alleging that the administration of French President Emmanuel Macron is “feverishly seeking opportunities for ‘political revenge’” in Africa following the rise of "patriotic forces" in several former colonies.
According to the report released by the SVR on February 2, Paris has suffered “impressive ‘losses’” as African nations increasingly refuse to serve as “puppets of the French globalist financial and political oligarchy”.
The intelligence agency claims that Macron has authorised a plan to “eliminate ‘undesirable leaders’ in Africa,” comparing the strategy to historical American operations in South America.
The SVR report describes the French leadership as “refined racists from Paris” who are struggling to maintain their reputation as a “parasitic metropolis, robbing its former colonies and hindering their development”.
The agency further alleges that France is “directly supporting terrorists of various stripes” and collaborating with the “Ukrainian regime” to supply militants in the Sahel with drones and instructors to destabilise sovereign governments.
A primary target of this alleged "destructive attention" is Madagascar, where a military takeover in October 2025 ousted President Andry Rajoelina.
The SVR claims that because the new government under Colonel Randrianirina is “committed to developing relations with BRICS,” Paris is actively “exploring ways to overthrow” the new president to “restore a loyal regime”.
The coup in Madagascar followed a period of intense domestic turmoil triggered by widespread economic discontent, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line and the country suffering from high levels of corruption. The immediate spark for the 2025 protests involved persistent power outages and water shortages in the capital, Antananarivo.
The movement was largely driven by Generation Z activists, organised via the "Gen Z Mada" social media movement, which used symbols like the "Jolly Roger" flag from the anime One Piece to represent rebellion against oppressive systems.
The transition of power was finalised on October 15, 2025, after the elite military unit CAPSAT aligned with demonstrators and Parliament impeached Rajoelina, who eventually fled into exile citing an assassination plot.
The SVR’s warnings of French-backed destabilisation coincide with a major security incident in Niger.
On January 29, General Abdourahamane Tiani, leader of Niger’s military junta, accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring a "terrorist attack" on the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey.
The assault, which involved gunfire and explosions, damaged the fuselage and wings of commercial aircraft belonging to ASKY Airlines and Air Côte d’Ivoire. During a televised address, General Tiani named President Macron as a primary sponsor of the operation.
“We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar,” Tiani declared. He also extended specific gratitude to Russian troops stationed at the base for “defending their sector” during the skirmish.
The SVR report also links France to an attempted coup in Burkina Faso on January 3, which aimed to assassinate the country's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Russian intelligence asserts that “France’s involvement... has already been established,” and claims similar efforts are underway to overthrow President Assimi Goïta in Mali through city blockades and terror against civilians.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
