39TH AU Summit: Malawi CSOs call on Africa to unite against deceptive recruitment schemes

With the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, fast approaching, prominent civil society leaders in Malawi are urging African heads of state to issue a unified condemnation of deceptive recruitment practices and the exploitation of Africans in foreign proxy wars. These calls follow a surge in reports regarding deceptive job recruitment by certain European nations—most notably Russia. These schemes reportedly lure desperate young Africans, especially men and women, with promises of lucrative employment, only to forcibly recruit them into military service to fight in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Michael Kaiyatsa, Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), emphasized that African leaders must prioritize the protection of their citizens from being drafted into foreign conflicts. “This includes addressing the role of private military actors, labor brokers, and online recruitment networks that exploit poverty, unemployment, and misinformation. The summit should call for coordinated continental action: stronger regulation of recruitment agencies, cross-border intelligence sharing, victim protection mechanisms, and accountability for those facilitating human trafficking and forced participation in armed conflicts.” Kaiyatsa said.

He added firmly: “The AU must reaffirm that African lives are never to be treated as expendable resources in external wars.” Kaiyatsa noted that CSOs expect the summit – scheduled for February 11-15 – to move beyond mere rhetoric and deliver concrete commitments regarding peace, security, and youth protection. “At a minimum, African leaders should issue a united position condemning deceptive recruitment. The summit should reinforce the AU’s frameworks on human rights and labor migration while demonstrating moral leadership in defending Africa’s sovereignty,” he said.

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Regarding the Malawian delegation, Kaiyatsa urged them to use the summit as a platform to highlight how unemployment and limited economic opportunities make young people easy targets for exploitation. When asked about the Malawi government’s official stance on deceptive recruitment by Russia and other nations, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, George Chaponda, declined to provide a definitive statement. “Call me when I am in Ethiopia to talk about the issue,” Chaponda said.

The Minister is previously on record stating that Malawi is reviewing its labour export agreements to ensure they provide robust legal protections. This review covers existing agreements with Middle Eastern and Asian nations, as well as a potential deal with Russia. “The government aims to establish clear bilateral labor agreements to protect workers and ensure they do not face difficulties while working abroad,” Chaponda previously stated, noting that the goal is to create safer conditions for Malawians seeking employment overseas.

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