大象传媒

When a name very similar to journalist Michelle Madsen鈥檚 was used as the cover for a fake news hatchet job on a Senegalese politician, she found herself entangled in a web of deception that she is seeking to unravel.

In the run up to Senegal鈥檚 hard-fought presidential election last year, a story surfaced accusing a candidate, Ousmane Sonko, of securing 鈥渇inancial assistance鈥� from a European oil company in exchange for oil contracts. The article was attributed to a journalist called 鈥淢ichelle Damsen鈥�.

The controversial accusations made waves in Senegal, but no "Michelle Damsen" could be found. Michelle Madsen, a British journalist who investigates big companies and corruption in Africa, received a barrage of messages trying to verify the story instead. Despite Michelle denying any involvement, and a full retraction from the website which first published the story, the allegations levelled at Mr Sonko were reported widely, accompanied by additional documents and 鈥減roof鈥� of bribes he denies taking.

Who wanted to smear Sonko? Who is behind 鈥淢ichelle Damsen鈥檚鈥� byline? Could it have been one of Michelle鈥檚 contacts? Was this part of a wider disinformation campaign in Senegal鈥檚 election? Michelle travels to Senegal to find out.

(Illustration by George Wafula /大象传媒 African Digital)