Three military-led governments in West Africa have launched a joint television channel with backing from Russia, as part of broader efforts to control media narratives amid escalating security challenges in the Sahel region. The channel, Tafouk TV, began broadcasting last month from Bamako, Mali, and is accessible in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—countries that have recently distanced themselves from traditional Western partners such as France.

Tafouk TV, whose name means “sun” in Tamasheq, carries the tagline “Television for a sovereign Africa.” Its programming supports the ruling military juntas and promotes themes of patriotism and sovereignty. Recent broadcasts included content aimed at “civic and patriotic education” for middle-school students, documentaries accusing France of exploiting a uranium mine in Niger, and music videos featuring soldiers praising their military leaders.

The channel’s launch coincides with a continuing deterioration of security in the three countries, which face ongoing insurgencies linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. Although counterterrorism was a central justification for the coups that brought the juntas to power, security has worsened since then. According to Héni Nassibia, an analyst with the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, there has been a marked increase in major militant attacks in recent months.

Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop framed Tafouk TV as a tool to counter what he described as a “hybrid war of narratives” in a challenging geopolitical environment. He expressed hopes that the channel would promote sovereignty and push back against terrorism by shaping public discourse.

Since their respective coups, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have expelled French troops and sought military support from Russia. This partnership now extends beyond the battlefield, with Russian media actors collaborating on broadcasting efforts. In July, Russia’s state media outlet RT formed a partnership with Tafouk TV’s general manager, Salif Sanogo, during a visit by Russia’s Foreign Minister to Niger. Analysts note that Russian media organizations have been expanding their presence in Africa, employing local-language journalists and disseminating pro-Russian content, in what is seen as part of wider disinformation strategies.

Beverly Ochieng, a security analyst specializing in the Sahel, observed that the Sahelian military governments are increasingly directing their own narratives through these media platforms, although the messaging remains heavily pro-government. “Russia is moving away from being the obvious face of propaganda in the region,” she said.

The introduction of Tafouk TV takes place amid ongoing crackdowns on independent journalists in all three countries. Veteran Nigerien journalist Moussa Kaka has been missing since August after leaving the radio and television station he directed in Niamey; human rights researchers suspect state security forces are involved, though Niger’s government has made no official statement. In Mali, a court last month sentenced newspaper director Abderrahmane Keita to two years in prison, marking the third recent journalist imprisonment there. Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso, approximately 40 journalists recently completed military-style training involving firearms and wearing fatigues, with authorities stating the effort aimed to foster patriotism among media professionals.