He took his time.
US Secretary of State Blinken was in Africa for five days and visited three countries.
At the beginning of his trip, he assured him that he had no other destination: "It's about Africa." But of course it was about more.
The Ukraine war has revealed how important Africa is to the West's geopolitical and security policy interests - as a result, the continent has become a popular travel destination.
Guests from East and West
Before Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov was in East Africa at the end of July, where he presented his country as a reliable partner on the continent.
At the same time, French President Macron was touring West Africa with a similar message.
At the beginning of April, Foreign Minister Baerbock visited Mali and Niger.
Of course, the Ukraine war shouldn't distract from other crises, she said.
The message here too: We are here for you.
Africa needs the West, but the West also needs Africa.
Western politicians have repeatedly emphasized this in recent years.
However, the much-vaunted partnership of equals never materialised.
Now that's taking revenge.
Numerous African countries have refused to condemn Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
This may have been a wake-up call for the West, with visits to the continent showing that he appears to have been heard.
It is to be hoped that it was not too late.