Cameroonian families demand return of relatives drawn into Russia's war in Ukraine

A peaceful march to the Russian Embassy took place on Wednesday in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. It was organised by a group called "Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers", which wants Russia and Cameroon to cooperate in dismantling covert recruitment networks. These networks enlist Cameroonians into the Russian army to take part in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which Russia launched as a full-scale war in February 2022.

Paul Sylvain Yede, a cofounder of the group, said the march was meant to draw the attention of two "friendly nations" to a clandestine network that continues to drain Cameroon of its sons.

The figures and the promises

According to a report by the collective "All Eyes on Wagner", at least 1,417 Africans have been recruited into the Russian military, and more than 300 are reported dead. The young men were lured by promises of work in Russia but ended up on the front lines in Ukraine.

Relatives speak out

Catherine Djock has been waiting almost a year for news of her husband, who travelled to Russia believing he would work in a kitchen. She said she has had no information for nine months about whether he is alive. She cannot accept that he is dead because she has not seen his body. She wants Russia to return him and wants to know the truth. According to her, he was meant to be a cook but ended up on the front lines on arrival.

Ngong San Djombi lost his youngest child of five. He demands that his son be returned whatever his condition, even if disabled. He refuses to accept that the son is gone without seeing a body, has declined to hold a funeral and has only prayed.