In the past several months, speeches by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to international summits and national legislatures have become a regular occurrence on the diplomatic calendar.
However, only four African heads of state were present when he addressed to the AU on Monday; the others were represented by officials or subordinates.
The underwhelming attendance was a sign of the unfair battle Kyiv has in spreading its message across a continent of 54 nations where it only has 10 embassies, or just a fifth of the Russian presence.
So, in seeking to influence African attitudes on Russian President Vladimir Putin's invading war, Mr Zelensky cannot use political or security clout equal with Moscow's.
Ukraine is not a global military force and it is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council, unlike Russia.
As a result, many African leaders have determined that they simply cannot afford to mimic open Western conflict with Moscow.
That is especially true at this time, when the Ukraine's blockade of grain export shipments is exacerbating an already dire food crisis, pushing up import prices and jeopardising the supply of wheat, other grains, and cooking oil to African nations that are food insecure.
Senegal's President Macky Sall, the current leader of the AU, travelled to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi earlier this month to consult with President Putin on removing the barriers that are preventing urgently needed progress.
both Russian and Ukrainian exports of food.
And last week South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa called Mr Putin to negotiate supply of Russian agricultural goods and fertilisers to Africa.
There was no clear breakthrough during the negotiations, but there was some moderate progress.
Unconfirmed reports of some Wagner mercenaries being summoned back from the Central African Republic provide some indications that the Russian military's involvement in Africa may be under stress as a result of the invasion of Ukraine (CAR).
Given the demands of the heavy military assault in the key Donbas region, that would scarcely come as a surprise.
However, there is no evidence of a diminution in Wagner's presence in Mali - where its personnel have regularly been sighted on missions with government forces.
dramatic new global environment
Moreover, official Russian security and military deals in Africa are really being reinforced, notwithstanding the necessities of the Ukraine war.
a dramatic new global context
Furthermore, despite the demands of the Ukraine war, official Russian security and military agreements in Africa are actually being strengthened.
The most recent target of this charm attempt is Cameroon.
Joseph Beti Assomo, the defence minister of Cameroon, travelled to Moscow last month to sign a five-year military cooperation pact with Sergei Shoigu, his Russian counterpart.
In order to combat terrorism and maritime piracy, this includes intelligence, training, and knowledge exchange. Joint workouts are scheduled.
Although the letter makes no mention of weapon transfers, it makes a provocative allusion to the possibility of future agreement on other types of cooperation.
In reality, a 2015 agreement had previously stipulated that Russia would provide artillery and offer logistical and air assistance, all of which were helpful for the fight against terrorists in Cameroon's Far North.
Cameroon has become the newest victim of this charm attempt.
Last month, Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister of Russia, and Joseph Beti Assomo, the defence minister of Cameroon, signed a five-year deal on military cooperation in Moscow.
This covers information gathering, training, and knowledge exchange in combating maritime piracy and terrorism. Joint drills are planned.
Arms transfers are not mentioned in the text, although there is a veiled suggestion that other types of cooperation may potentially be agreed upon.
In reality, a 2015 agreement had previously called for Russian artillery supply as well as logistical and aerial support, which would be helpful for the fight against terrorists in Cameroon's Far North.