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There is a worrying emergence of recruitment network taking young Africans from their home countries to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
More than 1000 citizens from at least 36 countries have already been recruited to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine.
Across Africa, agents and recruitment firms are tricking desperate jobseekers with promises of well-paying work in Russia only to end up in military camps and later the battlefields.
In a statement issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha early last month, there are at least 1,436 citizens from 36 African countries are currently fighting in the ‘ranks of Russia’s invasion army in Ukraine.’
Sybiha stated that the number represents those identified, although the actual number could be higher.
"Russia recruits nationals of African countries using a variety of methods. Some are offered money, while others are duped and do not realize what they are signing up for or are forced to do so under duress,” said Sybiha in the statement.
“Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence. Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate. Most of them are immediately sent to the so-called "meat assaults," where they are quickly killed,” he added
In his appeal to African governments, Sybiha called for issuance of public statements warning their citizens against joining the Russian invasion army.
“The Russian command understands that there will be no accountability for the killed foreigner, so they are treated as second-rate, expendable human material. Most mercenaries do not survive more than a month,” said the Ukrainian Minister.
Already, South African government has taken against people suspected to be behind the recruitment plot.
Five people including a radio presenter in South Africa have been charged in court over recruitment scheme of men to Russia military.
According to BBC, Nonkululeko Patricia Mantula a radio presenter with South Africa's public broadcaster among others contravened the law which prohibits South Africans from joining a foreign army without official permission under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
South African government had earlier reported that about 17 citizens had been lured to join mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The arrests, first in SA over the recruitment scheme, came after the dramatic resignation of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma as a Member of Parliament followed accusations that she had duped 17 South African men into fighting for Russia.
Like the Kenyans trapped in the Europe’s deadly war, the 17 South Africans were lured to join the mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative contracts.
In Jordan, the government cautioned its citizens to report any attempts to recruit them into the Russian army after two Jordanian citizens were killed in the war after being recruited to fight with the Russian Army.
According to AFP, the Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs stated that they were “closely monitoring operations of deception targeting Jordanian citizens by external entities for the purpose of illegal recruitment, which constitutes a violation of Jordanian law and international law, and endangers the lives of citizens.”
The Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs is following up on the details related to the killing of two Jordanian citizens after their recruitment to fight with the Russian army.
“Official spokesperson for the Ministry, Fuad Al-Majali clarified that the Ministry has demanded that the Russian authorities cease recruiting Jordanians and end the recruitment of any Jordanian citizen previously enlisted in the Russian army, and that it will take all available measures to stop this process,” AFP reported.
Previously, Ukraine had stated that it was holding citizens of various countries including Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba and Sri Lanka at Prisoner-Of-War camps.
“Fighting for Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine is illegal, immoral, and violates the UN Charter and international law. If you've already been deployed to the front lines, look for any opportunity to desert and become a prisoner of war,” the Ukrainian minister stated.
“The majority of foreign mercenaries in our custody became prisoners of war during their first combat. They all saved their own lives. We treat POWs in accordance with all international humanitarian law standards. Ukrainian captivity provides a ticket to life and the possibility of returning to your home country,” he added.
President William Ruto announced that he had in early November had a phone conversation with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealing for the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. “I have requested President Zelensky to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal,” Ruto posted.
“We expressed concern over young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine, and agreed to raise awareness of the dangers of such ventures,” he added.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi would later announce in a press conference that more than 200 Kenyans may have joined the Russian military through the recruitment networks.
“Russia attempts to recruit people from other countries, not only nationals of African countries. We once again urge all governments to make every effort to disrupt Russian recruitment schemes and to inform their citizens that such activity is illegal,” Sybiha appealed.
Mudavadi revealed that Kenya has been engaging in high-level diplomatic talks with Moscow “for several months” to secure the release and safe passage home of the affected Kenyans saying a meeting between Kenyan and Russian officials was held last month to discuss the plight of those detained in various military camps across the Russian Federation.
According to the statement, the Kenyan Mission in Moscow is now trying to establish the exact number of citizens detained in military camps and has rescued several, facilitating their travel documents for safe return home.
Mudavadi further said that both governments have reached an agreement to release all those being held without their consent to Kenya’s embassy in Moscow “with immediate effect.” And that the embassy will also remain in contact with others still in captivity and offer support to those who manage to escape.
He directed immigration and security agencies to heighten vigilance at airports and other border points to detect and arrest agents illegally recruiting Kenyans.
“All Kenyans visiting the region are encouraged to register themselves with the Mission and exercise their right to access consular services,” said Mudavadi.
