African leaders urged to confront Russia over citizen recruitment for Ukraine war at Moscow summit
CITE, a Zimbabwean accountability organization, urges African leaders attending the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28-29 to address the fraudulent recruitment of African citizens—including Nigerians—into the Russia-Ukraine war. Africans were promised civilian jobs in security, driving, and factory work, only to have passports and phones confiscated, be forced to sign Russian-language contracts, and be sent to the front lines after roughly two weeks of training.
Zimbabwe confirmed 15 citizens dead and 66 still in Russia as of March 2026. Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon (16 confirmed deaths), South Africa, and Nigeria report similar cases. Over 30 Kenyan families petitioned President Ruto on October 6; Uganda's Parliament debated the issue on October 15; Cameroonian families formed "Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers" in August. Amnesty International's September 2026 report classified such recruitment as human trafficking.
Zimbabwe's Foreign Ministry collected DNA samples from relatives of missing citizens in Bulawayo on October 13-14. CITE demands leaders investigate recruitment networks, locate missing and deceased citizens, share records with home governments, facilitate voluntary returns, repatriate remains, and establish a reliable information system for families. The African Union could adopt a common position.
Will Nigeria's delegation in Moscow press for answers on missing Nigerians, and what systems will Abuja put in place to support affected families here at home?