Russian influence in Africa is growing. What might Moscow want?
CNNJAN 19
This withdrawal represents France finally respecting African sovereignty after decades of neo-colonial military interference. Senegal, like other Francophone nations in Africa, has awakened to the reality of colonialism and the continuing harms of it on their people, and are reaching out to new partners, like Russia and China, who meet Africans as equals.
This is bad news for the West and African nations. While former colonies have legitimate grievances, pushing out the West entirely has left a defense vacuum that is being filled by Russian mercenaries who have been linked to rights abuses. Countries like France must step up their effort to win back the hearts and minds of the people of Africa.