Families in Cameroon are calling on the governments of Cameroon and Russia to help secure the return of relatives who they say were recruited to fight for Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.
The campaign, organised by a group known as “Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers,” held a peaceful march to the Russian Embassy in Yaoundé on Wednesday, 28 October, demanding answers about the whereabouts and welfare of their relatives.
According to Euronews, some of the men travelled to Russia after receiving offers of civilian employment but were subsequently sent to the front lines in Ukraine The group is calling for both governments to investigate the alleged recruitment networks and work towards bringing the affected Cameroonians home.
Families Say Relatives Were Promised Civilian Jobs
During the demonstration, families described how relatives left Cameroon believing they had secured employment in Russia, only to discover that they had been drawn into military service.
One woman, Catherine Djock, told Euronews that she had not heard from her husband for nine months after he travelled to Russia for what he understood would be a job as a cook.
“For nine months, I have had no information about my husband’s situation, whether he is alive or not,” she said. “I cannot accept that he is dead, as I have not seen his body; therefore, I believe he is still alive. If he is alive, I want Russia to bring my husband back to me.”
Another protester, Ngong San Djombi, said his youngest son had been lost to the conflict. “I demand that my son be returned to me, regardless of his condition, even if he is disabled,” he said. “I cannot accept being told he is gone when I haven’t seen his body. I have refused to hold a funeral; I have simply prayed.”
Paul Sylvain Yede, one of the group’s cofounders, said the march aimed to draw attention to the issue. “This march aims to draw the attention of two friendly nations, Russia and Cameroon, urging them to do everything in their power to dismantle the clandestine network that continues to drain Cameroon of its sons,” he said.
Report Identifies More Than 1,400 African Recruits
The scale of the alleged recruitment extends beyond Cameroon.
A report by the investigative collective All Eyes on Wagner, cited by Euronews, estimates that at least 1,417 Africans have been recruited into the Russian military, with more than 300 reportedly killed. The figures were compiled from data obtained through a Ukrainian government program called “I Want to Live,” which tracks Russian combat casualties and encourages surrender.
According to the report, the recruits came from 35 African countries between January 2023 and September 2025. Egypt had the highest number of recruits at 361, followed by Cameroon at 335, Ghana at 234, The Gambia at 56 and Mali at 51.
Cameroon has suffered the heaviest losses, with 94 of its 335 identified recruits killed in Ukraine, according to the Polish Radio report on the data.
These figures are estimates from the collective and should not be treated as an independently verified count of all African nationals serving in the Russian armed forces.
Campaign Seeks Government Intervention
The “Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers” collective is urging the Cameroonian government to intervene and press Russia for information about the affected citizens.
The campaign comes amid wider concerns about African nationals being drawn into Russia’s war in Ukraine through employment offers and other recruitment arrangements. In February, Russia facilitated the return of 17 South Africans who had been fighting in Ukraine, a precedent the Cameroonian families have cited as proof that repatriation is possible when governments cooperate.
The organisers are calling for closer cooperation between Yaoundé and Moscow to dismantle what they describe as clandestine recruitment networks targeting young Africans with promises of jobs in Russia.
