French-Russian Rivalry in Africa

Abstract

The Franco-Russian rivalry intensified after Vladimir Putin came to power. Russia began to increase its presence in Africa during this period. The main area of the competition is the Sahel region, where Paris’s influence now dominates. The Russians are acting to build a dominant position, which threatens French interests. The author in this work will present not only the current rivalry, but also the origins of the presence and importance of both powers on the African continent. The aim of this work is to show what areas of contention exist between Moscow and Paris and where the main points of gravity of the rivalry are located. Identify Russian and French interests in Africa and the possibility of citing countries in the sub-Saharan region and the Sahel. Military presence and support seem to be a leading force for creating influence in this sensitive area of the world. The author based his considerations on the following research methods: source analysis, literature of the subject, comparative method, process tracking and case-oriented research, and qualitative data analysis. The competition is pragmatic. Access to Africa’s large natural resources and the use of African economic growth and boosting one’s economies are important. Russians have been building their influence for several years. Their presence has no significant historical basis and focuses on gaining access to raw materials, providing support to autocratic governments and arms trafficking.