BBC uncovers massive online network spreading pro-UAE propaganda to 'shape public opinion' in Africa including Somalia

[caano_shaah]

Hundreds of fake social media accounts using stolen and AI-generated pictures of Somali influencers are being used to whitewash Sudan's Rapid Support Forces

 

[caano_shaah]

 

[caano_shaah]

 

[wonyluvr]

First name then qabil name lollllll

 

[caano_shaah]

First name then qabil name lollllll

yeah its low effort and they spelt hawiye wrong

 

[SpaceyCadet]

A fake corpo-state younger than most of our grandparents is now an existential threat to a region with thousands of years of history. Neo-colonialism with unlimited PR budget.

 

[Arkan]

Filthy Emirati dogs

A BBC investigation published on 21 October revealed a large-scale online network using stolen images of Somali women and influencers to spread propaganda favorable to the UAE and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeting African audiences across the region.

The network operated more than 100 fake accounts across X, Facebook, and TikTok – many of which impersonated Somali Muslim women and lifestyle influencers.

According to BBC data analysis, these accounts published over 47,000 posts between January 2023 and September 2025, reaching more than 215 million users.

Using both real and AI-generated photos, the pages posted synchronized multilingual content praising the UAE as a benevolent force in Somalia while attacking the Sudanese Armed Forces and defending the Janjaweed.

Several women told BBC that their photos were used without consent. “This character is not me. My images are being used, and I can't do anything to these people who are impersonating me,” one influencer said.

Posts by the fake accounts claimed that the Sudanese army had committed a massacre in the city of Al-Obeid, but BBC and Sudan’s Beam Reports found no verified evidence that any such attack took place.

Analysts said the fabricated stories appeared shortly after Sudanese media reported that the Sudanese Air Force had destroyed a UAE aircraft carrying foreign mercenaries.

Disinformation researcher Marc Owen Jones described the accounts as “electronic puppets” forming part of a broader propaganda network advancing UAE foreign policy in Africa.

Independent analyst Alessandro Accorsi added that such operations are often managed by private public relations firms contracted by political actors.

Meta and TikTok confirmed that they removed several accounts for “covert influence operations” and impersonation.

BBC concluded that the network was used to manipulate online discourse and conceal the UAE’s role in supporting the Janjaweed militia, accused of atrocities in Sudan.

The UAE has denied accusations of providing financial or military support to the RSF, but Sudanese officials continue to allege that Abu Dhabi supplies the group with funds and weapons through intermediary networks.

BBC uncovers massive online network spreading pro-UAE propaganda to 'shape public opinion' in Africa

Hundreds of fake social media accounts using stolen and AI-generated pictures of Somali influencers are being used to whitewash Sudan's Rapid Support Forces

thecradle.co

 

[novanova]

I noticed those pages a long time ago they are so unconvincing its hilarious.

 

[Arkan]

I noticed those pages a long time ago they are so unconvincing it’s hilarious.

They’re very obvious lool

 

[Cartan Boos]

Spoiler

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[peterpeter]

are they responsible for the troll farms too