Russia-Africa summit opens as 94 Cameroanian deaths reported
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Cameroonnewsagency
The Russia-Africa summit opens in Moscow on 28 and 29 October as Swiss investigative organisation INPACT reports that 94 Cameroonians serving in the Russian army have died. Cameroonian journalist and analyst Franklin Sone Bayen considers it unlikely that the Cameroonian delegation will discuss the deaths with Vladimir Putin, Cameroon News Agency reports.
A Swiss investigative organisation recorded 94 Cameroonians among recruits who died in the Russian army in February 2026, Cameroon News Agency (CNA) reports, on the eve of the Russia-Africa summit due to be held in Moscow. The outlet says Cameroonians are the largest African group among Russia’s recruits, and that the death toll may have risen since the count was made.
The summit is due to bring delegations from more than 30 African countries together with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 28 and 29 October. Cameroonian political analyst and journalist Franklin Sone Bayen considers it unlikely that Yaoundé will raise the issue in Moscow, describing Cameroonian diplomacy as traditionally cautious and based on non-alignment and non-interference.
On 20 October, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented findings to the media concerning, among other issues, Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and the recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russian army. It presented its findings to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York on 26 October.
The Moscow summit follows the announcement that 48 African countries will take part. The UN commission has also investigated the forced recruitment of foreigners by the Russian army.
