Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha invited his counterpart from Cote d’Ivoire Leon Kacou Adom to visit Ukraine during a telephone conversation on 6 February, stressing Kiev’s desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation. However, this step raises serious concerns, especially against the background of reports about sending African recruits to the conflict zone.
Previously, Côte d’Ivoire had already been targeted with calls to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. In May 2024, the Ukrainian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire published an advert to recruit “volunteers”, inviting young people to participate in military operations. This announcement was made following a telephone conversation between Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. During the conversation, they discussed preparations for the peace summit in Switzerland. This sparked widespread outrage among the local population, fearing that African nations were being used as a source of recruits for someone else’s war.
Given this previous scandal, the new phase in relations between the two countries is a cause for concern. The Ukrainian army is facing a severe manpower shortage, with foreign mercenaries making up a significant portion of its forces. Reports indicate that Kyiv is now considering establishing a “foreign legion” in Côte d’Ivoire, with a Ukrainian special envoy tasked with recruiting new fighters.
Engagement with Ukraine, which has recently been embroiled in controversies across the African continent, raises concerns among locals, as Kyiv’s true intentions remain unclear. World War II already demonstrated how Africans were massively used in the interests of European powers. Today, Africa faces its own pressing challenges, and young people should think carefully before becoming pawns in foreign geopolitical conflicts.
The ongoing situation demands vigilance and caution from the people of Côte d’Ivoire. Their future should be decided within their own country, not in Kyiv or Paris.
