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Disinformation Campaign Promotes Sanctioned Israeli Tycoon, Targets Civil Society in DRC
A sophisticated network of bot-like accounts, media websites, and coordinated social media users has been orchestrating a disinformation campaign in support of sanctioned Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler while simultaneously attacking civil society organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a new analysis by Global Witness.
The investigation revealed dozens of accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and at least 10 Congolese news websites that have been spreading misleading claims about Gertler’s legal status. In July, these outlets collectively pushed a narrative that an Israeli arbitration ruling had cleared Gertler of all corruption allegations in the DRC.
However, Global Witness clarifies that this characterization fundamentally misrepresents the nature of the ruling. The case was not an open justice proceeding designed to investigate all historical corruption allegations against Gertler in the DRC, but rather a private commercial dispute with Israeli investors conducted behind closed doors. While the arbitration apparently exonerated Gertler on some allegations relevant to those specific business dealings, it did not constitute a comprehensive legal clearance.
Gertler, who built his fortune through mining ventures primarily in the DRC, was sanctioned by the United States in 2017 over allegedly corrupt business deals. The network of accounts identified by Global Witness has been amplifying claims that Gertler has been cleared of all corruption allegations and has used these misleading reports to argue against the continuation of American sanctions.
The campaign has also targeted civil society groups critical of Gertler’s operations, echoing similar conduct that followed a previous Global Witness report in 2020. The organization warns that this apparent attempt to rehabilitate Gertler’s public image in the DRC risks whitewashing the activities of a sanctioned individual and threatens efforts to ensure transparent and ethical sourcing of critical transition minerals in the country.
In response to the disinformation campaign, Global Witness has made its findings available in French to serve as a counterweight to the misleading information being disseminated in the region.
“The use of bot-like accounts and opaque media sites to push misleading claims shows how easily disinformation can be weaponized,” said Mike Davis, CEO of Global Witness. “Sanctions rulings should remain in force unless a credible court overturns them – no online campaign or private arbitration changes that – yet these networks appear designed to persuade the public otherwise.”
Davis expressed particular concern about the targeting of journalists and civil society groups, describing it as “a coordinated effort to rehabilitate sanctioned individuals and silence scrutiny.” He called on platforms like X to enforce their policies against artificial amplification and coordinated inauthentic behavior by investigating these networks.
“Journalists and civil society need the freedom to do their jobs without intimidation,” Davis added.
The DRC holds some of the world’s richest deposits of cobalt, copper, and other minerals essential for the global transition to clean energy. Ensuring these resources are extracted ethically and transparently is critical for both the country’s development and global climate goals.
Global Witness notes that it is a member of the pro-democracy coalition Congo N’est Pas à Vendre (CNPAV), which was among the targets of the disinformation network. The organization emphasized that it conducts thorough fact-checking and legal reviews for all its investigations and had contacted several Congolese media outlets to offer them the right of reply before publication.
Some outlets declined this opportunity, instead publishing stories attacking Global Witness and making personal accusations against its investigators. Despite these challenges, Global Witness affirmed its commitment to reporting on environmental destruction and alleged corruption “without fear or favor,” standing behind the rigor of its investigations and the professionalism of its team.
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11 Comments
This is a concerning development. Coordinated disinformation campaigns that prop up sanctioned individuals and attack civil society are a serious threat to transparency and accountability. I hope the authorities investigate this network thoroughly.
Agreed. Attempts to mislead the public and obscure the truth around corruption allegations are extremely troubling. Robust fact-checking and independent reporting are crucial in these situations.
The mining industry has long been plagued by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. It’s disheartening to see that these issues continue to persist, and even more concerning that there are efforts to actively conceal and distort the truth. Greater oversight and accountability are clearly needed.
Absolutely. Robust transparency and anti-corruption measures must be a priority, especially for industries like mining that wield significant economic and political influence. The public deserves accurate information, not coordinated disinformation campaigns.
This is a complex and disturbing situation. I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics used by this network, such as the creation of fake news sites and the coordination across social media. Understanding these methods can help develop better countermeasures.
This is a troubling example of how social media can be exploited to spread misinformation and shield powerful individuals from scrutiny. I hope this investigation leads to greater platform accountability and more effective measures to detect and disrupt coordinated inauthentic behavior.
It’s disappointing to see how social media can be weaponized to spread falsehoods and undermine legitimate efforts to combat corruption. This case highlights the need for greater platform accountability and more effective measures to detect and disrupt coordinated inauthentic behavior.
Absolutely. Platforms must take stronger action against coordinated disinformation campaigns that seek to manipulate public discourse and shield corrupt actors from scrutiny.
This news is deeply troubling. Sanctioned individuals should not be able to use social media and coordinated propaganda to evade consequences. I hope this investigation leads to stronger measures to address coordinated inauthentic behavior and protect vulnerable communities from such manipulation.
The mining industry has a long history of controversies, and it’s disheartening to see attempts to obfuscate accountability. I hope the authorities and civil society organizations can work together to expose the truth and hold the perpetrators of this disinformation campaign accountable.
Agreed. Transparency and accountability are critical, especially in industries like mining that can have significant social and environmental impacts. Robust investigative journalism and whistleblower protections are essential to combat these types of deceptive tactics.