Russia claims to be a global power and is trying to show it in Africa, where it seeks to revive USSR’s former influence and, at the same time, make money. Moscow's African policy, however, is limited to exporting grains, (cheap) weapons and mercenaries. Also, Russia wants to avoid stepping on China’s toes in Africa, given its dependency on Beijing since it invaded Ukraine.
The Kremlin continues its policy of radicalising Africa and provoking conflict between the states of the continent and the “collective West.” The foundation for this effort is history — in particular the colonial past — as well as the narrative of “neocolonialism.”
