Sub-Saharan Africa and Russian Anti-Imperial Narratives: Insights from Postcolonial Critical Discourse Analysis

This paper explores the application of Postcolonial Critical Discourse Analysis (PCDA) as a methodological tool for uncovering and understanding the narratives behind Russian anti-imperial rhetoric in Sub-Saharan Africa on X (former Twitter). PCDA, as a distinct research framework, allows to combine elements of postcolonial studies with critical discourse analysis to examine the dynamics of power in postcolonial settings and how it is reproduced through social, political, and public discourse. PCDA draws on postcolonial theory and the so-called discourse-historical approach to critical discourse analysis to examine past and contemporary discourses filled with postcolonial political, economic, and social structures. PCDA's interdisciplinary nature allows the utilization of linguistic, historical, and cultural perspectives to provide context to contemporary events. Despite the dissolution of the Cold War's ideological dichotomy of capitalism versus communism, Russia continues to position itself in opposition to the so-called «Western world», which is often perceived as being associated with historical colonization and imperialism. This paper uses Postcolonial Critical Discourse Analysis, drawing on Wodak and Sabido, to analyze this particular element of Russia’s foreign policy. The study employs an examination of social media posts by the individuals and bodies representing the Russian state, to identify and analyze linguistic strategies employed by the Russian Federation in crafting anti-imperial narratives on the Global South, specifically, Sub-Saharan Africa. Through this analysis, the study aims to elucidate the discursive mechanisms through which Russia constructs and disseminates its foreign policy narratives, shedding light on the rhetorical strategies used to legitimize its anti-imperial position. The topic is particularly important in light of Russia’s 2022 military aggression in Ukraine, which pushed Russia to deepen its already strong connections with the countries of the Global South seeking political alliances. During these last three years, Russia actively employed its already well-established anti-imperial rhetoric to facilitate cooperation with the countries that in the past suffered from Western imperialism. This research focuses on the unique strategy of seeking support on the international stage for Russia’s inherently imperial actions by employing anti-imperial narratives. Furthermore, the paper seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of the role of language and discourse in shaping geopolitical ideologies, emphasizing the significance of CDA and PCDA as an analytical tool in unveiling the complexities of contemporary Russian foreign policy rhetoric.