Botswana is facing mounting international pressure from the European Union and Ukraine to clamp down on recruitment networks allegedly luring young Batswana men to fight alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine.
In a resolution adoted recently, the European Parliament warned that deceptive recruitment campaigns targeting African citizens were contributing to a growing number of foreign fighters in the Russian army.
The resolution specifically urged governments in Africa including Botswana to take urgent steps to dismantle recruitment networks and warn citizens about the dangers of travelling to Russia for suspicious job offers.
The European lawmakers said the practice has exposed young men to exploitation and possible death on the battlefield.
‘The resolution highlights the disturbing fact that a growing number of foreign fighters in the Russian army were brought to Russia or to the frontlines in Ukraine under false pretences,’ the European Parliament stated.
It further called on governments of Botswana, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana to ‘crack down on deceptive recruitment activities that see their young men fight on the frontlines alongside Russian forces.’
The EU also appealed to social media platforms to prevent their services from being used to run fraudulent recruitment campaigns linked to the Russian military.
‘Governments must proactively warn their citizens of the dangers of travelling to Russia in connection with job offers that are either directly or indirectly linked to the Russian army,’ the resolution said.
The development comes as Botswana confirmed it was investigating reports that Batswana citizens had been recruited into Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, Phenyo Butale, revealed that diplomatic engagement was underway to address the issue.
Butale said preparations were underway for President Duma Boko to hold a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the matter.
The minister also disclosed that an international investigation was underway into the alleged recruitment scheme.
‘Interpol is currently investigating the human trafficking syndicate believed to be behind the falsified recruitment of Batswana citizens,’ Butale told Parliament.
Meanwhile Ukraine has also stepped up diplomatic pressure as it warned that participation in the conflict carries grave consequences.
Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Andrij Sybiha, said Kyiv had taken note of Botswana’s recent statement acknowledging the reports.
‘Ukraine has taken note of the statement issued by the Ministry of International Relations of the Republic of Botswana on February 26 regarding reports of Batswana nationals recruited into Russia’s war against Ukraine,’ Sybiha said.
He welcomed Botswana’s willingness to engage but urged Gaborone to formally consult Ukrainian authorities on the matter.
‘We welcome the efforts of Botswana’s government to engage with relevant authorities. Ukraine remains open to bilateral dialogue on this matter,’ he said.
Sybiha also warned that foreign citizens fighting in Russia’s war faced potentially fatal outcomes.
‘Ukraine’s position remains consistent: participation of foreign citizens in Russia’s war of aggression carries serious and often fatal consequences,’ he said.
He further pointed out that Botswana’s own laws prohibit citizens from participating in foreign armed conflicts as mercenaries.
‘Participation of Batswana citizens in foreign armed conflicts as mercenaries is prohibited under Botswana’s national legislation,’ Sybiha added.
The EU resolution also criticised countries that fail to prevent their citizens from joining Russia’s war effort warning that such practices undermine international efforts to contain the conflict.