️ Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that at least 55 Ghanaians have been killed in Russia's war with Ukraine after being "lured into battle." The announcement followed a visit to Kyiv where officials raised concerns about Russian recruitment of Africans.
️ Reports of African men being attracted to Russia with job promises and ending up on Ukraine's frontlines have increased in recent months, creating tensions between Moscow and some affected countries.
️ Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine. Ablakwa said in an X post on Thursday: "We were informed that 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been lured into battle since 2022, with an estimated 55 killed and 2 captured as prisoners of war."
️ At a media briefing on Tuesday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, standing alongside Ablakwa, said over 1,780 Africans from 36 different countries are fighting in the Russian army.
️ Ablakwa noted in his X post that Ghana, which has economic and diplomatic ties with Russia, aims to raise awareness about recruitment and dismantle "dark web illegal recruitment schemes operating within our jurisdiction." He added, "This is not our war, and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others."
️ The minister said Ghana's government will intensify public education and work to "track and dismantle all dark web illegal recruitment schemes" operating in the country. He also mentioned that the two captured Ghanaians have warned young people against being tempted by financial incentives to join the conflict.
️ South Africa's government said this week that two of its citizens died on the conflict's frontlines. They were separate from a group of 17 South Africans tricked into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, most of whom have been repatriated, according to South Africa's foreign ministry.
️ In South Africa, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, is under police investigation for alleged involvement in luring over a dozen South African men to Russia.
️ According to a Kenyan intelligence report, more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia.
️ Kenya's foreign ministry stated that 27 Kenyans have been rescued after being stranded in Russia.
️ Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said he plans to visit Russia in March for talks on the issue.
Source: www.theguardian.com