It is (probably) a coincidence, but a highly symbolic one, that both French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are currently visiting African countries.
Both are looking for allies, or want to keep old allies in line.
The fact that during Macron's trip questions such as human rights no longer play the role they did in the past is due to the new Cold War.
It is true that French politics in Africa never tended toward public moral sermons.
But there should be a certain distance to the most unpleasant figures at the top of African states.
Russia is colonizing a sovereign state
Russia has never bothered with such things.
Strategic interests are the only thing that counts for Moscow.
And Russia has always been able to point out in Africa that it has no colonial past on the continent.
It was and is being heard by many, not just those in government.
So the West initially has a starting disadvantage in the race in and around Africa.
Nevertheless, there is no reason to throw in the towel.
Not only is Russian politics the reason for the food crises that are leading to hunger among millions of people in Africa.
With its attack on the Ukraine, Moscow is also in the process of colonizing a sovereign country.
This message should be conveyed to everyone in Africa.