How Africans are being drawn into Russia's war in Ukraine

"South Africa's Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, met with the families of 11 South African men recently repatriated after being lured into the conflict. The ministry said it was deeply concerned by the "suspicious circumstances" and predatory recruitment tactics used. Separately, Lamola said two South Africans had died fighting for Russia."

"In Kenya, a court charged the director of a recruiting company of trafficking the victims to "Russia for the purpose of exploitation by means of deception." The 33-year-old is accused of being a key figure in a network that sent more than 1,000 Kenyans to fight for the Russian army. He has been charged with human trafficking."

"Caroline Mukiza, 42, mourns her husband in a church on the outskirts of Uganda's capital Kampala. She tells DW her 46-year-old partner, Edson Kamwesigye, was killed on the frontline of Russia's war in Ukraine. Mukiza says her husband had previously worked as a security guard in Iraq and Afghanistan."

African nations are experiencing a growing crisis of citizens being lured into Russia's war in Ukraine through predatory recruitment tactics and human trafficking networks. South Africa repatriated 11 men and reported two deaths among its citizens fighting for Russia. Kenya's court charged a recruiting company director with trafficking over 1,000 Kenyans to Russia through deception. Ghana negotiated the release of two prisoners of war. Uganda faces similar losses, with documented deaths of citizens like Edson Kamwesigye, a security guard killed on the frontline. Families report being deceived about job opportunities, with recruiters exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking employment abroad.

Read at www.dw.com