Cameroon Families Protest to Bring Relatives Home from Ukraine

On Wednesday, 28 October, families in Cameroon gathered for a peaceful march to the Russian embassy in Yaoundé. The protest, organized by the “Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers” collective, aimed to pressure both the Russian and Cameroonian governments to collaborate in dismantling networks that recruit Cameroonians to fight in the Russian army in Ukraine.

The protesters expressed concern over the safety and well-being of their relatives, who they believe were deceived and illegally recruited. The demonstration highlighted the urgent need for action to bring these individuals back home safely.

According to the protesters, many young Cameroonians have been lured with promises of employment and a better life, only to find themselves in a war zone. The collective called on the authorities to take immediate steps to protect these individuals and hold those responsible for their recruitment accountable.

This is not the first time that families in Cameroon have raised concerns about their relatives being recruited to fight in foreign conflicts. In recent years, there have been reports of Cameroonians being recruited to fight in various conflicts, including in Syria and Libya.

The Cameroonian government has acknowledged the issue and has pledged to work with the Russian government to address the problem. However, the families demand more concrete actions and assurances that their relatives will be returned home safely.