SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Facebook removes 17 Russian accounts targeting Sudan

1/11/19: Sudan Tribune - Facebook removes 17 Russian accounts targeting Sudan

 Sudan Tribune reports that Facebook said it has removed 17 accounts, 6 Instagram accounts, 18 pages and 3 groups originating in Russia and focusing on Sudan’s internal affairs.

 The move is part of the removal of three Russian networks attempting to interfere in the domestic politics of eight African countries with astroturfing campaigns. The Russian Wagner Group, which is allegedly close to Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) was reportedly involved.

 Facebook said that the people behind the activity “used a combination of authentic accounts of Sudanese nationals, fake and compromised accounts (...) to comment, post and manage Pages posing as news organizations, as well as direct traffic to off-platform sites,” such as Sudanese and Russian official state media.

 Supporters of Omar al-Bashir’s regime have used social media platforms to spread fake news about the transitional government and the Forces of Freedom and Change.