In Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital, a group calling itself “Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers” has taken to the streets, urging both Moscow and Yaoundé to dismantle the covert networks that have been funneling young Cameroonian men into the Russian army fighting in Ukraine. The peaceful march, held on Wednesday, targeted the Russian Embassy, where protesters demanded answers and action.
“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,” said Paul Sylvain Yede, one of the group’s co-founders.
The recruitment schemes have been documented by the collective “All Eyes on Wagner,” which reports that at least 1,417 Africans have been recruited into the Russian military, with more than 300 confirmed dead. Many of these men were lured by promises of legitimate employment in Russia, only to find themselves thrust onto the front lines of a war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Families left in limbo
Catherine Djock has spent nearly a year without news of her husband, who traveled to Russia expecting to work as a cook. “For nine months, I have had no information about my husband’s situation – whether he is alive or not. I cannot accept that he is dead, as I have not seen his body; therefore, I believe he is still alive,” she said. “If he is alive, I want Russia to bring my husband back to me. He was supposed to work as a cook, but upon his arrival, he ended up on the front lines. I want the truth about my husband. That is why I have come out today.”
Ngong San Djombi, a father who lost his youngest son, echoed that anguish. “I lost a son – the youngest of my five children. I demand that my son be returned to me, regardless of his condition – even if he is disabled. 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.”
The plight of these families highlights a darker side of Russia’s recruitment efforts, which have extended beyond its borders to African nations, often exploiting economic desperation. The European Union has repeatedly condemned such practices, and the recent reopening of €21.3bn defence loans by Brussels underscores the bloc’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, the human cost of the war continues to mount. A Russian drone strike on a railway station in Dnipro killed at least 13 people, a grim reminder of the violence that these recruits are being sent into. The families in Cameroon are not alone in their grief; across Africa, similar stories are emerging, with many young men having been recruited under false pretenses.
The Cameroonian government has yet to issue a formal response to the protest, but the collective’s demands are clear: cooperation between Russia and Cameroon to identify and dismantle the recruitment networks, and the safe return of all Cameroonian citizens who have been coerced into military service. For the families, the wait is unbearable, and the lack of official acknowledgment only deepens their pain.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the international community has increasingly focused on the role of foreign fighters, including those from Africa. The European Union has imposed sanctions on entities linked to Wagner Group, and NATO allies have expressed concerns about delays in military aid to Ukraine, which could prolong the conflict and expose more recruits to danger.
For Catherine Djock and Ngong San Djombi, the political calculations are secondary. Their demand is simple: bring their loved ones home. “I want the truth about my husband,” Djock said. “That is why I have come out today.”
