Cameroonian Families March on Russian Embassy Demanding Return of Sons Recruited Into Russia's Army

Families in Cameroon marched to the Russian embassy in Yaounde on Wednesday, October 28, to demand the return of relatives recruited into Russia's army, Africanews reported. The peaceful march was organised by the "Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers" collective, which is calling on Russia and the Cameroonian government to work together to dismantle the networks that recruit Cameroonians clandestinely. We previously reported on the movement and its campaign.

Africanews cites a report by the All Eyes on Wagner collective saying that at least 1,417 Africans have been recruited into the Russian army and more than 300 of them have died. The report says the young men were lured by promises of jobs in Russia and found themselves on the front line in Ukraine.

Families Who Cannot Mourn Without a Body

One mother told Africanews that she lost her son, the last of her five children. She wants him returned whatever his condition, even if he is disabled, and says she cannot accept being told he is dead when she has not seen his body. "I can only pray," she said.

A woman identified in the report as Joe Catherine said she has had no news of her husband for more than eight months. She believes he is still alive and wants Russia to bring him home. She said he was supposed to work as a cook, but when he arrived he found himself on the front line. She joined the march to ask for the truth about what happened to him.

What the Collective Wants

The collective said the march was meant to draw the attention of Russia and Cameroon, which it called two friendly states, and to urge them to do everything possible to dismantle the network that takes Cameroonians' sons away. Africanews noted that in February Russia facilitated the return of 17 South Africans who had been fighting in Ukraine.

A Safe Way Out

Cameroonians and other foreign nationals lured into Russia's armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. Families who have lost contact with a relative in Russia can turn to the "I Want to Find" project. See our FAQ for recommendations for victims of Russian military recruitment and their families.