Transitioning from Democracy Support to Democracy Protection Practices: A Learning Loop Framework for Countering Russian Propaganda in the Sahel

In both theory and practice, supporting democracy often takes precedence over its protection. However, in the context of democratic regression worldwide, there is an urgent need to adapt and implement democracy protection practices to counter authoritarian tendencies. This article develops and explores a learning loop framework for the case of democracy protection in the Sahel Region where Russian media infiltration, including propaganda and fake news narratives, presents a notable threat to media freedom and access to reliable information. It examines whether – and how effectively – the EU and its member states address these challenges. The article explores whether learning mechanisms exist within the EU, particularly in relation to the tools already developed to combat Russian disinformation, such as the East StratCom Task Force on the eastern flank. Given France’s colonial legacy and its historical role as a key actor in the region, learning mechanisms within France’s communities of democracy support policy and practice are also investigated.