Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow following talks between Russia and Ghana, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused France of working directly with illegal armed groups in African countries.
Lavrov alleged that the French government was supplying weapons to these groups and directing them. France and Ukraine did not immediately respond to the allegations.
Activities of the Africa Corps
Lavrov also addressed the Africa Corps, which is affiliated with Russia's Defense Ministry, saying that its units operate legally and at the request of the legitimate governments of African countries. He said combating terrorist attacks was among the corps' duties.
Lavrov argued that some countries had been unable to accept the changes that followed the loss of their colonial influence in Africa. He alleged that these countries were planning terrorist attacks and claimed that France was one of them.
Lavrov also alleged that countries organizing and financing attacks in Africa were using Ukrainian soldiers, saying this was a serious cause for concern.
Security cooperation between Moscow and Accra
Lavrov said Russia supported Ghana's efforts to combat the legacy of colonialism in Africa and announced that Moscow was ready to assist Accra in the fight against terrorism.
Lavrov said Russia was preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States and added that some Ghanaian citizens had signed contracts with the Russian army.
Lavrov said Ghana had contacted Moscow regarding the status of its citizens fighting alongside the Russian army and stated that the issue was under the control of Russia's Defense Ministry. He said a special unit was reviewing applications from Ghana and that the assessment was ongoing.
Figures on Ghanaians in Ukraine
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the Sahel region had become an epicenter of terrorism. Saying that conditions in the region had deteriorated significantly, Ablakwa said Russia played an important role in efforts to promote stability and that Ghana would continue working with Moscow on the issue.
Ablakwa said they had also raised the situation of young Ghanaians participating in combat in Ukraine alongside the Russian army. According to Ablakwa's statement, 62 Ghanaians were killed in the fighting and 15 Ghanaians were missing.
The Ghanaian foreign minister said Lavrov had confirmed that the two sides could work together to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaians into the Russian army.
Ablakwa also called for reform of the United Nations system and fair representation of African countries within it.
