When two elephants fight, the grass suffers: A scenario of Russia’s advances in Africa, the United States’ response, and Africa’s stance.

Senators weighing President Biden’s candidates for two powerful military positions warned Thursday that Russia’s growing influence in turbulent regions of Africa is compromising American interests and urged both to address the looming strategic quandary if approved.

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee pressed Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, Biden’s nomination to oversee US Africa Command, to explain how he would combat Russia’s actions on the continent.

He acknowledged that they were troublesome and that they would become a priority if his elevation were approved by the whole Senate.
Langley spoke before the committee with Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton, Biden’s choice to oversee the United States Special Operations Command.

Lawmakers voiced grave worry over Moscow’s use of the mercenary company Wagner Group to enhance Russia’s image on the continent, pointing to the group’s operations in Mali, where back-to-back military coups have destabilized the area and, they claim, given Russia a foothold in West Africa.

They were also concerned that Russia’s growing influence across the continent would push the US out of Africa’s lucrative commodities mining sector, with a particular focus on rare-earth minerals such as cobalt, a critical component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in cellphones, electric vehicles, and a variety of other products.

The MPs were also concerned about Russia’s recent success in mobilizing African governments against Western sanctions.

Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, Senegalese President Macky Sall, head of the African Union, launched a public plea requesting Western governments to withdraw punitive measures targeting agricultural goods, notably grain.

The West has accused Russia of causing a worldwide food catastrophe by invading Ukraine and preventing some of the world’s most significant grain shipments from leaving Ukrainian ports. Moscow has also been accused of taking Ukrainian grain and exporting it throughout the world as if it were Russian.

During Thursday’s session, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said, “There is substantial work to be done in telling the correct story.” “It bothers me to watch African leaders swallowing misinformation about what’s driving Africa’s hunger catastrophe,” he continued, adding that U.S. officials must put more effort into “winning the narrative battle.”

Kaine and other senators urged Langley, who is expected to be approved in the coming weeks, to regard his upcoming job as one of diplomacy as well as combat. Langley agreed with that view of the task and the rising danger Russian expansion posed to US interests in Africa.

“The Wagner group has bad motives,” Langley added, stressing that the organization has contributed to the spread of Russia’s already considerable portfolio of weaponry sales in Africa.

The Wagner Group has helped to expand Russia’s footprint in Africa beyond its already significant arms sales, which account for nearly half of the continent’s military equipment imports, by partnering with opposition movements, including military coup leaders in Mali and governments in other parts of Africa.

“It simply adds to the instability, particularly in fragile nations,” Langley said, vowing that if confirmed, “we will reengage, we will reset” and show that “we are still the partner of choice.”