Dakar – Senegal has condemned the Ukrainian embassy for calling for fighters to join its effort to repel Russia’s invasion, warning that recruiting mercenaries or even volunteers breached its laws.
“Senegal condemns a Facebook post by Ukraine’s embassy calling for Senegalese volunteers to join its fight against Russia…Recruitment of volunteers and mercenaries is illegal in Senegal and punishable by law, the ministry says.” pic.twitter.com/BZlayEy5RN
— K.Diallo ☭ (@nyeusi_waasi) March 3, 2022
In a statement on Thursday evening, Senegal’s foreign ministry said it had summoned the Ukrainian ambassador after reading, “with astonishment”, an embassy Facebook post urging foreigners to enlist.
Kyiv’s ambassador to Senegal, Yuril Pyvovarov, told the foreign ministry that 36 Senegalese citizens had already volunteered, according to the statement.
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The ministry said it “firmly condemns” the move and urged the embassy to withdraw its call.
Senegal’s foreign ministry condemned a Ukrainian embassy Facebook post recruiting for the war.
Minister Aïssata Tall Sall stated that fighter recruitment is illegal there and summoned Ukraine’s minister.
Senegalese Tirailleurs were exploited in European wars for over a century. pic.twitter.com/GyW1HINl3m
— Affinity Magazine (@TheAffinityMag) March 3, 2022
“The recruitment of volunteers, mercenaries or enemy combattants on Senegalese territory is illegal,” the statement added.
On Wednesday, Senegal abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution which was overwhelmingly adopted that demanded that Russia immediately withdraw from Ukraine.
The government stated afterwards that it was gravely concerned with the situation in Ukraine but that it adhered to “principles of non-alignment and the peaceful settlement of disputes”.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter / @TheAffinityMag
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