A recent release of declassified U.S. intelligence documents has shed light on the covert operations of the CIA in Africa, with Lagos, Nigeria, emerging as the second most significant hub for secret spy activities on the continent. The revelations, stemming from files related to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, were made public under U.S. Executive Order 14176, signed by President Donald Trump on January 23, 2025. This order mandated the declassification of records tied to the assassinations of JFK, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy.
According to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the documents highlight a network of CIA operations across several African cities during the Cold War era. Johannesburg, South Africa, tops the list as the primary center for CIA activities, followed closely by Lagos. Other cities named in the files include Nairobi (Kenya), Pretoria (South Africa), Rabat (Morocco), and Harare, Zimbabwe—previously known as Salisbury during its time under British colonial rule. These cities were reportedly strategic bases for the CIA as it sought to counter Soviet influence and monitor political developments across Africa.
The disclosure has sparked widespread debate about the extent of U.S. involvement in African affairs, particularly during a period marked by geopolitical tensions. Critics argue that the presence of CIA bases in cities like Lagos points to a broader pattern of interference, with some activists claiming that the agency has historically worked to influence African governments and install leaders aligned with U.S. interests. On social media platforms like X, voices such as South African activist Shabnam Mohamed have called for accountability, urging African leaders to demand the withdrawal of CIA operations from the continent and greater transparency regarding foreign influence.
The files, while revealing the existence of these hubs, offer limited details about the specific activities conducted in Lagos and other cities. However, their release has reignited discussions about the legacy of foreign intelligence operations in Africa and their impact on the continent’s political landscape. As more documents become available, researchers and activists alike hope to uncover a clearer picture of how these covert operations shaped the region’s history.
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