Gambiaj.com – (Brussels) – The European Council has formally banned Swiss-Cameroonian activist and influencer Nathalie Yamb from entering or residing in the European Union, citing her alleged ties to the Russian paramilitary group Wagner and participation in destabilizing activities across Africa. The decision, taken on Thursday, June 26, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and includes an asset freeze within EU territory.
Yamb’s inclusion on the EU’s list of sanctioned individuals marks a rare move against a non-Russian figure. She now joins 46 other individuals and entities targeted for their support of Russia’s war in Ukraine or engagement in hybrid threats against EU states.
According to Jeune Afrique, most of the list comprises Russian nationals, particularly military and intelligence figures, making Yamb’s addition particularly significant.
The European Council explained its move by pointing to Yamb’s links with the Association for Free Research and International Cooperation (Afric), widely considered a front for Russian influence operations, including those linked to the Wagner group.
Yamb has openly supported Wagner’s operations in Africa, especially in Mali, and has appeared at events hosted by Afric alongside known pro-Kremlin operatives such as Alexander Malkevich.
In a 2023 interview with Swiss television, Yamb even stated she would be open to receiving financial support from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin—who died in a plane crash in August 2023.
The European Council accuses Yamb of engaging in an “informational manipulation campaign” aligned with Russian state objectives, undermining the stability and security of the EU.
It cites her public rhetoric that echoes Kremlin talking points, especially in her criticisms of France and calls for the removal of Western influence from Africa.
This latest EU measure builds on an escalating sanctions framework that began in October 2024, targeting individuals and organizations accused of aiding Russia’s geopolitical objectives. Yamb’s activities, the Council argues, fall squarely within that pattern, combining ideological advocacy, public influence, and support for private military operations.
France had already banned Yamb from its territory in January 2022, citing her “recurring diatribes” against French interests and warnings that her rhetoric could incite violence or foreign subversion. French authorities said her messaging was fostering anti-French sentiment both in Africa and among the African diaspora in France.
The United States reached a similar conclusion in 2022, when the State Department labeled Yamb part of a Russian disinformation network linked to Prigozhin’s influence operations.
The EU’s latest action underscores growing Western concern over the expanding footprint of Russian soft power and paramilitary influence in Africa—often spearheaded by figures like Yamb, who blend activism, media presence, and geopolitical alignment with Moscow.
Yamb has yet to publicly respond to the EU sanctions.
