Nathalie Yamb, a prominent Swiss-Cameroonian pan-African activist and social media influencer known for her fierce criticism of Western influence in Africa, has been under European Union sanctions since June 2025.
The measures, which include an EU-wide travel ban and asset freeze, stem from her outspoken support for Russia and alleged role in disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives allegedly aimed at undermining European interests, particularly France’s presence on the African continent.
Yamb, born in Switzerland in 1969 to a Swiss mother and Cameroonian father, rose to international prominence after delivering a fiery anti-France speech at the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, earning her the nickname ”Lady of Sochi.”
A former business executive with roles at multinational firms like MTN and Maersk, she transitioned into full-time activism, advocating for African sovereignty, the abolition of the CFA franc, and closer ties with non-Western powers, including Russia.
The EU’s decision, published in the Official Journal in June 2025 under its framework for countering Russia’s ”hybrid threats,” accuses Yamb of engaging in ”information manipulation and interference.”
Officials cite her ties to the Association for Free Research and International Cooperation (AFRIC), an organisation linked to alleged Russian influence operations, and her adoption of Moscow’s rhetoric to push for the expulsion of Western, and especially French forces from Africa.
The sanctions were part of a broader list targeting individuals seen as supporting Russia’s destabilising activities abroad.
In a recent YouTube video titled ”Sanctioned by EU. Abandoned by Switzerland,” uploaded just days ago, Yamb described the measures as punitive for her refusal to align with Western narratives on global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.
Nathalie Yamb argued that the EU is using sanctions to silence dissent, noting that she is among dozens of non-Russians targeted in efforts to indirectly pressure Moscow.
Past Detainment in Côte d’Ivoire
Yamb’s brushes with authorities predate the EU sanctions. In December 2019, she was detained for approximately 10 hours in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, before being deported to Switzerland.
Ivorian officials cited her ”activities undermining national interest,” linked to her involvement with the opposition party LIDER and public criticisms of the government during a conference.
Reports from human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, highlighted concerns over the process: limited access to a lawyer, no formal expulsion order presented, and denial of personal belongings, including medication.
This incident marked a significant disruption, forcing her relocation and amplifying her profile as an anti-neocolonial voice.
Impact on her life
The EU sanctions have profoundly affected Yamb’s personal and professional life. As a dual Swiss-Cameroonian citizen long based in Europe and Africa, the travel ban prevents her from entering or residing in any EU member state, severely restricting family visits, business opportunities, and activist engagements in Europe.
Any assets she holds within the EU are frozen, potentially complicating financial transactions and access to banking services tied to European institutions.
Yamb has publicly described the measures as a form of ”abandonment” by Switzerland, her country of birth, which has not intervened despite her citizenship, making her one of the first Swiss nationals targeted by Brussels in this manner.
In interviews and social media posts, she has framed the sanctions as evidence of systemic hypocrisy, pointing out Europe’s continued imports of Russian resources while punishing critics.
Supporters view the restrictions as an attack on free speech, while EU officials maintain they are necessary to counter foreign interference.
Despite the challenges, Yamb continues to amplify her message through online platforms, reaching hundreds of thousands of followers. Her case has sparked debate over the boundaries of sanctions in targeting non-state actors and the implications for freedom of expression in an increasingly polarised geopolitical landscape.
Sources and related
- EU Sanctions Tracker – Nathalie Yamb
- Mimimefoinfos.com (June, 2025: Nathalie Yamb dans la liste noire de l’Union Européenne
- Russia-Africa Economic Summit in Sochi (2019): Sommet Russie-Afrique: le magistral discours de rupture de Nathalie Yamb (LIDER) à Sochi
- Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2025 ISD report mentioning Nathalie Yamb): Pro-Kremlin influencers targeting audiences in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
- Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2018 ISD report mentioning NewsVoice): Smearing Sweden – International Influence Campaigns in the 2018 Swedish Election
- Summitafrica.ru: History of the Russia–Africa Summit
- Mid.ru: Joint Statement by the Participants in the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, Arab Republic of Egypt, Cairo, 20 December 2025
