Across Africa: Tunisians drawn into Russia's war with Ukraine

What the report says

France 24 Africa’s weekly program focused on claims that more than 1,400 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine since 2023, with Tunisians among those reportedly drawn into the conflict. The segment framed the issue as part of a broader pattern of recruitment across the continent, though the snippet provided does not identify how many Tunisians were involved or whether the report named specific recruiters, routes or official responses.

The article also noted two other developments in Africa. In South Africa, the push to position the country as a digital gateway for the continent is meeting increasing resistance in Cape Town, suggesting a local backlash to a fast-moving technology and infrastructure agenda. In Chad, the arts festival in the eastern city of Abéché attracted young audiences with music, dance and theatre, highlighting a cultural event that drew public interest beyond the capital.

Taken together, the program presents a mix of security, technology and culture stories from across the continent. The recruitment issue matters because it points to the wider reach of Russia’s war in Ukraine and the vulnerability of some African nationals to overseas conflict recruitment, while the South Africa and Chad segments show how economic development and cultural life are shaping debates in different regions.