‘It’s not our war’: more than 270 Ghanaians allegedly ‘lured’ into Russian army to fight in Ukraine

In recent months, several African countries, notably Kenya and Uganda, have begun to discover the fate of their nationals enlisted in the Russian army, who often end up killed or captured in Ukraine. The Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced on the night of Thursday to Friday that he estimated that 272 Ghanaians were “drawn” into the war between Russia and Ukraine, “of which around 55 were killed”.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa visited kyiv this week in particular to discuss with the Ukrainian authorities the fate of two Ghanaians prisoners of war after being captured on the front while fighting in Russian ranks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga said during a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart on Wednesday that more than 1,780 Africans – nationals of 36 countries on the continent – were fighting against Ukraine within Russian forces.

“This is not our war”

Ghanaians who have gone to fight in this war “are victims of manipulation, of disinformation” from “criminal networks of traffickers” who promise them “decent work” in Russia, assured Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Wednesday. “As a responsible government, we cannot turn a blind eye to these shocking statistics,” he declared overnight on his X account.

The government “is committed to tracking down and dismantling all illegal recruitment networks operating on the dark web” to enlist Ghanaians, “this is not our war and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others,” he added.

According to a report published by the All Eyes on Wagner collective at the beginning of February, “the phenomenon of recruitment of African nationals does not constitute an isolated epiphenomenon, but rather the backbone of a deliberate and organized strategy” while the war continues and Moscow must “face a shortage of men”.

The largest contingents come from Egypt (361 men), Cameroon (335) – the country paying the highest price in terms of losses – and Ghana (234), according to the report, and are recruited via “transnational networks that exploit persistent socio-economic vulnerabilities” on this continent.

Misled by job promises

Several Kenyans interviewed by AFP after having managed to return to their country described meeting dozens of Africans in training camps in Russia or on the front, coming from Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt or South Africa. The men claimed they were deceived by promises of well-paid civilian jobs in Russia, before finding themselves forcibly conscripted into the Russian army and sent to fight in Ukraine.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this week thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for allowing the return of South Africans “drawn to the battlefield between Russia and Ukraine”. Fifteen South Africans, who claim to have been duped and enlisted in Russian units fighting in Ukraine, have been able to return to their country since February 18. According to Cyril Ramaphosa, an investigation into the circumstances of their recruitment continues.

The phenomenon is also starting to agitate Uganda, a country close to Russia which has until now avoided any criticism of Moscow and where testimonies are starting to flow in. Recently, Gambia and Nigeria have expressed concern about their nationals going abroad to participate in armed conflicts.