A Cameroonian collective, "Ramenez nos fils et nos frères" (Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers), has called for a peaceful march towards the Russian embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to denounce the recruitment of Cameroonian youth in the Russian army and demand answers on the fate of those sent to fight in Ukraine. The collective, formed in August 2026, comprises civil society actors and families affected by the disappearance or death of their loved ones. They are seeking the dismantling of clandestine recruitment networks, identification of victims, and repatriation of remains.
According to testimonies gathered, recruitment mechanisms involve promises of lucrative jobs, training, or installation in Russia. Some candidates allegedly discovered the military nature of their engagement late in the process, only to be deployed to the Ukrainian front. In April 2026, Cameroonian authorities announced that Moscow had confirmed the death of 16 Cameroonian nationals engaged in the conflict. However, this official recognition does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon's scope.
The collective and investigation group All Eyes On Wagner estimate that 335 Cameroonians were recruited between 2023 and mid-2025, with 94 reported deaths. These numbers significantly exceed the officially confirmed toll. The situation raises questions about the number of Cameroonians still engaged on the front, those missing, and the conditions under which they signed their contracts. Families are seeking answers to these questions.
This mobilization occurs amidst a diplomatic rapprochement between Cameroon and Russia. On October 5, 2026, the Cameroonian Ministry of External Relations met with Russian chargé d'affaires Sergueï Oustinov to discuss preparations for the Russia-Africa summit. However, behind the declarations of Russo-Cameroonian friendship, the situation of nationals engaged in the Ukraine war has become a sensitive issue.
For Yaoundé, the challenge is to preserve relations with Moscow while demanding clarification on the recruitment conditions of its citizens. Russian authorities dispute allegations of illegal recruitment of African nationals. The issue transcends Cameroonian borders, with several African states reporting cases of nationals traveling to Russia and becoming embroiled in the Ukrainian conflict.
According to Kiev's estimates, over 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight alongside Russian forces. This number is difficult to verify independently but highlights the continental dimension of the problem. The situation contrasts with Moscow's diplomatic efforts in Africa, where the Kremlin has been multiplying military, economic, and educational partnerships to consolidate its influence.
The collective "Ramenez nos fils et nos frères" emphasizes that its action is pacific and humanitarian, seeking not to rupture diplomatic ties with Moscow but to secure cooperation in uncovering the truth about deaths, locating missing persons, and preventing further misleading recruitment. For Cameroonian families, the urgency is human, focusing on determining the fate of their loved ones and establishing accountability.
Key points
- The Cameroonian collective is demanding the dismantling of clandestine recruitment networks and the repatriation of remains of those who have died.
- The situation highlights the need for African states to take responsibility for protecting their citizens from illegal recruitment.
- The issue raises questions about the scope of the recruitment and the conditions under which contracts were signed.
