Egountchi BEHANZIN

Founder of the pan-African group “Ligue de défense noire Africaine” (LDNA); influencer/activist known by the pseudonym “Egountchi Behanzin”

1988-11-05

Madjikpeto, TGO

Male

WEB[www.egountchibehanzin.com]

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500965

Propaganda

Sylvain Afoua is a pro-Russian activist, founder of the "Ligue de défense noire Africaine" (LDNA) (Black African Defence League), a group involved in hit actions on French territory. The structure was dissolved by a French ministerial decree of 29 September 2021 for spreading an ideology calling for hatred, discrimination and violence. Sylvain Afoua spreads Russian narratives and misinformation on the war of aggression against Ukraine, which he carries out in particular on the African continent. His message is transmitted via social networks and his association's website. He is regularly invited to Russian fora and is, furthermore, financially linked to the Wagner Group. Sylvain Afoua is therefore responsible for, implementing, supporting and benefitting from actions or policies by the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten the democracy, the rule of law, stability or security of the Union or in one or several of its Member States by planning, directing, engaging in, directly or indirectly, supporting or otherwise facilitating the use of information manipulation and interference.

EU

2025/965 (OJ L202500965)

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202500965

2025-05-20

EU

Restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities

EU country specific

Russia

Asset freeze and prohibition to make funds available, Restrictions on admission

- All assets of the listed persons and entities should be frozen. It is also prohibited to make any funds or assets directly or indirectly available to them. - Member States shall enforce travel restrictions on persons listed in the Annex of Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643.

In several of its Conclusions in 2022 and 2023 the Council strongly condemned Russian hybrid attacks threatening democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Union, its Member States and its partners, in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In view of Russia’s continued hybrid campaign operations on European soil intended to harm, weaken and divide the Member States and its neighbourhood, on 8 October 2024, the Council established a new framework of targeted sanctions against Russia-driven persons and entities engaged in destabilising activities. the new sanctions framework covers activities such as, sabotage, foreign information manipulation, electoral interference, disinformation, malicious cyber activities and the instrumentalization of migrants by third countries. These restrictive measures consist of a travel ban to the EU for designated individuals and an asset freeze applying to both designated individuals and entities. Additionally, EU persons and entities are prohibited from making funds and economic resources available to those listed, either directly or indirectly. Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including for the delivery of humanitarian aid.