Sixteen Cameroonians have been killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, the BBC has confirmed after a foreign ministry source verified that a recently leaked diplomatic note circulating on social media about the deaths was authentic.
The government has faced criticism over its prolonged silence on the issue, marking the first acknowledgment of the involvement of its nationals in the conflict.
A report by All Eyes on Wagner, an organization investigating mercenary activities, stated that 94 Cameroonians had died in the war from 2023 to 2025.
The leaked note, issued from Cameroon’s foreign ministry to the Russian embassy, identified the deceased as military contractors. Attempts to obtain a statement from the Russian embassy regarding the note went unanswered.
Ukrainian intelligence estimates that over 1,700 individuals from 36 African nations have been recruited to fight for Russia. This information has sparked discussions about the alarming trend of recruitment practices exploiting vulnerable populations across Africa.
Despite the ongoing situation, Cameroon has not formally acknowledged the deaths. However, a recent statement from the foreign ministry to the state broadcaster CRTV listed the names of the 16 Cameroonians as residents of Russia, requesting their relatives to make contact about an urgent matter without providing further details.
The silence on the deaths contrasts with past concerns raised by various African nations regarding their citizens' participation in the conflict. For instance, Ghana confirmed that at least 55 Ghanaians have been killed, while reports suggest similar issues affecting recruitment practices in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, South Africa has repatriated citizens who had previously been trapped in Ukraine, highlighting the attempts made by several African governments to mitigate the situation.
