Russia and France are waging a war of influence

France in the reconquest of Africa. Tuesday July 26, Emmanuel Macron began his tour of the continent with a trip to Cameroon. At the same time, the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, was in operation seduction in Congo-Brazzaville. Vladimir Putin’s trusted man is touring Africa, from Egypt to Ethiopia. Emmanuel Macron will, in addition to Cameroon, visit Benin and Guinea-Bissau. Three countries that strongly interest Russia.

Between Russia and France, there is first of all the confrontation on the security terrain. As France gradually withdraws its soldiers from Mali, Russia is gaining ground. It has military cooperation with around twenty African countries. France regularly accuses Russia of carrying out disinformation campaigns to discredit it.

With the conflict in Ukraine, this war of influence is also being played out in the commercial and food arena. Russia points the finger at the role of Westerners, particularly France, in the difficulties of transporting cereals to Africa from Ukraine. Emmanuel Macron responded on Tuesday July 26, speaking of “carabistouilles”. Nevertheless, economically, Russia weighs half as much as France in Africa, and ten times less than China. A second Russia/Africa summit should take place in 2023.