The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) asks African heads of state and government attending the Third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on 28–29 October 2026 to discuss the recruitment of African citizens into the Russia–Ukraine war.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media Centre, Zenzele Ndebele, the Centre said many Africans have travelled to Russia after being offered civilian jobs, such as security, driving or factory work, and quoted recruits and their families as saying that on arrival, some were given contracts written in Russian that they could not read, and had their passports and phones taken away.
According to the group, many were then sent to the front line after about two weeks of training. Their families at home are looking for missing relatives, mourning those who have died and asking their governments for help.
“In March 2026, the Zimbabwean government said 15 Zimbabweans had died after being recruited into the war, and 66 were still in Russia. Across the continent, thousands of Africans have been recruited. “Families want to know if their relatives are alive, where they are, and when those who died will come home for burial. We hope our leaders will raise this with their Russian counterparts in Moscow,” said Zenzele Ndebele, Director of CITE.
“On 13 and 14 October 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade collected DNA samples in Bulawayo from relatives of Zimbabweans who are missing or reported dead. Families came from all over the country. We welcome this step. Families now want to know when the results will be ready and when the remains of those who died will be brought home.
“Zimbabwe is not alone. Similar cases have been reported in Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa, Nigeria and other countries. On 6 October, more than 30 Kenyan families met in Nairobi and asked President William Ruto to raise the issue at the summit. On 15 October, Uganda’s Parliament raised the matter. In Cameroon, where the government has confirmed the deaths of 16 citizens, families formed a group in August called “Bring Back Our Sons and Brothers” to ask for answers.
“In September 2026, Amnesty International released a report which found that, in many cases, the recruitment of foreign nationals amounts to human trafficking, because recruiters work across borders; countries will achieve more if they work together.”
CITE said it respects the long-standing relations between African countries and Russia, and each government’s right to choose its partners, adding that good relations also make it possible to discuss difficult issues.
“We ask African leaders at the summit to agree with the Russian authorities on:
investigating the networks that recruit Africans through false job offers;
accounting for African citizens who are missing, detained or dead, including sharing available records with their governments;
helping those who want to come home to return safely;
returning the remains of those who died to their families; and
a clear way for governments to share verified information with families.
The African Union and its member states can help by speaking with one voice on this issue.
CITE will continue to report on these cases. We hope the summit will give families answers and lead to clear commitments.”
The CITE is an accountability journalism organisation based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It serves the Matabeleland region and national and diaspora audiences across its website, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X, WhatsApp and Instagram.