France, US, and Russia in a Free-For-All for Africa's Coast in 2026

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France is scrambling to rebuild its influence by co-hosting a summit in Kenya this week, after losing almost all its military and political sway in its former West African colonies [144781]. This move is just one front in a wider, frantic competition for power on the continent. At the same time, the United States is admitting it can't beat China at processing rare earths, so it is now funding new mines and processing plants directly in Africa to secure the minerals needed for electronics and weapons [144628]. Meanwhile, Russia is deepening its military footprint in the Sahel, replacing French forces in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso with its Africa Corps [67411]. This "resource rush" is overshadowing official summit agendas, as Ethiopia's push for a seaport becomes a magnet for global powers like the US, China, Turkey, and Gulf states seeking naval bases and allies [87433]. The International Crisis Group has warned that this external competition for influence is one of the top seven urgent threats African leaders must face in 2026 [71659].

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France seeks Africa comeback at Kenya summit after West Africa losses #144781US to fund African mines in race to beat China on rare earths #144628U.S. and Russia in High-Stakes Scramble for Africa's Sahel #67411Global Powers Rush for Africa's Coast as Ethiopia Seeks a Port #87433Seven Urgent Threats Africa Must Face in 2026 #71659