Cameroon struggles to curb military desertions amid Russian recruitment

The Cameroonian government has ordered military commanders to curb mass desertions and enlistment of trained soldiers into Russian forces, as the country needs its troops to combat terrorist infiltrations from Boko Haram.

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03 april 2025   |   08:45   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Tadeusz Brzozowski / PAP   |   Print

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Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo issued the directive in March, urging military leaders to tighten control within their ranks following credible reports of clandestine departures of military personnel. Despite the order, recent reports from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) indicate that desertions continue, as more soldiers join Russian forces to fight against Ukraine in exchange for significantly higher wages.

Currently, a basic salary for a Cameroonian private after two years of service is around $85 per month. Soldiers engaged in direct combat zones receive an additional risk allowance of $148 per month. In contrast, Russia is reportedly offering frontline fighters at least $2,000 per month, with specialists earning up to $3,300, along with the promise of Russian passports.

The Cameroonian government is particularly concerned about the exodus of soldiers, as it weakens the army's ability to address security challenges, including Boko Haram in the north, Central African Republic rebels in the east, maritime piracy along the Atlantic coast, and separatist movements in the west.

Desertion is not new to the Cameroonian military. In the late 2010s, many elite soldiers left for Dubai to work as private security for wealthy Emiratis. According to ISS, between 300 and 800 soldiers deserted in 2018, prompting the defense ministry to temporarily suspend overseas military missions.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created another opportunity for Cameroonian soldiers seeking better prospects. Utilizing local recruitment networks, Russia has attracted many of them to fight against Ukrainians. Cameroon’s modernized professional army, experienced in counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations, is seen as particularly valuable to the Kremlin.

To address the issue, the Cameroonian defense ministry tightened regulations in March, now requiring soldiers wishing to leave the country to obtain direct permission from the minister.

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kamerun dezercja wojskowa rekrutacja do armii rosja boko haram

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