Mapping Russian illicit finance in Africa: the cases of Sudan and Madagascar

Abstract

This briefing note is one of three that map the conditions in which Russian illicit financial flows (IFF) flourish across three geographical regions: sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), south-eastern Europe, and western Europe. The briefing notes use a common framework to identify three vectors employed by Kremlin-connected actors to create a conducive environment for the investment of dirty money overseas. These vectors are 1) political activities, which blur formal and informal means of diplomacy and political influencing to promote Russia-friendly candidates and political parties; 2) media activities, which blur truth and falsehood, by constructing and disseminating alternative narratives; and 3) political violence, which blurs legitimate and illegitimate use of force to secure investment projects, destabilise regions and eliminate opposition. The intentional blurring of legality and illegality, licit and illicit, makes these channels of Russian engagement very difficult to prevent. For the full research paper see, Owen, C., Prelec, T. and Mayne, T. (2022). The illicit financialisation of Russian foreign policy, SOC ACE Research Paper No. 3. Birmingham, UK: University of Birmingham.