This is why the Russian presence in Africa worries the West

Since the announcement of Moscow’s return to the African continent, the concern is evident, and a wave of panic is gaining ground in Western circles. But for what reasons?

First of all, with Sino-Western competition, one can glimpse the expansion of this opposition into two antagonistic blocs, somewhat in the style of the UN Security Council: Russian-Chinese on one side and Western on the other. However, Russia’s interests in Africa are not necessarily those of China and vice versa.

Today Moscow and Beijing could be with Africa much more partners than competitors to the detriment of Western interests. This means that the two countries can really complement each other. This complementarity can be achieved both in BRICS-related projects and in Russian-Chinese bilateral agreements.

Another point is that the popularity of present-day Russia is evident among a large part of the African population. Contemporary Russian foreign policy attracts a large number of representatives of Africa’s youth.

Soviet Russia is inscribed in a perspective of liberation from the continent of colonialism and the support that was granted to allow many newly liberated states to move forward.

This is the case of Angola, which, following numerous attacks on its sovereignty, has been able to resist thanks to the decisive support of Moscow and Havana.

Russian-African collaborations, as is the case, for example, between Moscow and Bangui, will ultimately become very effective for any future Western presence on this continent. Even if the politico-media elites of the West persist in refusing to recognize that they owe a lot to Africa, the time for accountability is approaching at a fast pace.