Yaounde: Russia has called on its recruiters to cease the recruitment of fighters from 'friendly' nations, Cameroon News Agency (CNA) has learned. The revelation was made by Impact Stories, an independent Russian news organization, highlighting Russia's increasing reliance on Africa, particularly Cameroon, to bolster its military ranks amidst significant losses in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to Cameroon News Agency, the call to halt recruitment follows a detailed 72-page report released on February 11 by Franco-Swiss investigative group, INPACT, as part of its All Eyes on Wagner Project. The report sheds light on the dire consequences of Russia's military strategies in Ukraine, with African nations, particularly Cameroon, bearing a substantial burden. The report documents the deaths of 94 Cameroonian fighters on the frontlines, a number that increases to 95 if including Nkami Watat Serge Christian, listed under Algeria but believed to be Cameroonian. Despite Russia's official stance, skepti cism remains about the sincerity of its decision to end recruitment from countries like Cameroon. Professor Victor Julius Ngoh, a prominent Cameroonian historian and political commentator, questions Moscow's intentions, suggesting the move might be a superficial gesture to placate African allies while potentially continuing covert recruitment. Ngoh asserts, 'It is important to understand that these mercenaries are not officially sent or approved by the African country or countries concerned.' Cameroonian authorities have remained silent on the issue, despite the gravity of the revelations. INPACT's report, titled 'The Business of Despair,' confirms the names of 1,417 African recruits allegedly enlisted by Russia since its large-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The report verifies that at least 316 of these recruits have died in combat, with Cameroonian casualties being notably high. The report also highlights an alarming trend of increasing African recruitment over the past three years, with numbers rising from 177 recruits in 2023 to 647 in 2025. The recruits' average age is 31, with the youngest being an 18-year-old Ghanaian and the oldest, a 57-year-old Egyptian. The survival rate for these recruits is notably low, with an average service duration of just six months before death. Cameroon's diplomatic ties with Russia, marked by a military cooperation deal signed in April 2022, complicate the situation further. On Policy magazine reports that this agreement, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has raised concerns among Western nations about its implications for Cameroon's relations with its Western allies. Impact Stories reveals that Russian authorities have restricted the recruitment of foreign mercenaries from 'friendly countries,' including Cameroon. The report suggests that the decision might be a result of diplomatic engagements, though its exact origins remain unclear. As the war continues, the human cost becomes increasingly apparent. While Russia's recruitment practices face internation al scrutiny, reports also suggest Ukraine might be engaging in similar activities, enlisting foreign mercenaries for its cause. CNA, alongside other media outlets and influencers, continues to highlight the impact of the conflict on Cameroonian lives, emphasizing the urgent need for economic improvements to prevent citizens from seeking opportunities abroad, often with dire consequences. Despite reaching out to the Russian embassy in Yaounde for comments, CNA has yet to receive a response.
