Russia and Ukraine are benefiting from the service of highly experienced troops, without having to train them, from a country far away. The big problem, however, is that these are mercenaries who desert their home country’s army for, leaving it exposed to other dangers.
On March 7, Cameroon’s Defense Minister, Joseph Betti Asomo, spoke of the “illegal involvement” of his country’s troops in the war in Ukraine.
A minority of the deserters are “foreign volunteers” fighting for Ukraine, while the majority are “[Vladimir] Putin’s riflemen” who have signed with Russia, he said.
Desertions in Cameroon are nothing new, as, according to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) (“Grave risks for Cameroon as soldiers desert to fight in Ukraine“), they began in the late 2010s, when many elite soldiers began leaving for Dubai, lured by attractive offers from the wealthy Emirates.
In 2018, indications were that between 300 and 800 soldiers had deserted. By 2020, media reported that 637 soldiers had faced dismissal for desertion.
Ukrainian front a big opportunity
The war in Ukraine is another opportunity for Cameroonian soldiers who are looking for better prospects to invest, taking advantage of their skills that are needed by the Russians and Ukrainians.
Desertions – especially in the Russia-Ukraine war – can also be economically motivated. According to the Institute, what distinguishes this wave of desertions is that soldiers are abandoning their posts to join a high-intensity war zone. Using local networks of recruiters, Russia has attracted many soldiers from Cameroon with extremely attractive monthly salaries ranging from $1,976 to $2,479, with the most skilled being paid at least $3,294.
Various sources have reported life insurance for families in the event of a soldier’s death during operations.
The difference in salaries between Russian and Cameroonian soldiers (and those in Africa in general) is enormous. For example, the basic monthly salary of a soldier serving in a combat position in Cameroon is just $148.
With $2,000 being the minimum wage that a Russian mercenary on the Ukrainian front will be paid, it is understandable why a Cameroonian officer describes such salaries as “golden suffering”!
Cameroon’s National Security Threat
Cameroon faces multiple security threats and cannot afford to lose its soldiers to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The desertion of soldiers to fight in Ukraine is weakening the operational capacity of several African armies and the stability of the affected countries. The Cameroonian government recently highlighted the trend, which, while not new, has intensified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Although there are no official statistics on desertion rates, the situation is worrying for a country that faces threats from Boko Haram in the north, Central African Republic rebels in the east, maritime piracy along the coast, and the Anglophone crisis in the west.
The phenomenon is adding to the already alarming desertion rate among the country’s new recruits. Such departures weaken the military’s operational capacity and disrupt its cohesion, leading to a loss of expertise and skills. Some key figures in units have left, Cameroonian military commanders told ISS.
What worries Cameroonian authorities most is the fate of the soldiers who have deserted. While some officers speculate about the possibility of a future Russian African Corps made up of black soldiers, others worry about the risk associated with the return of deserters.
Having gained combat experience in Ukraine, they could use their operational skills and high-intensity combat capabilities against Cameroon’s security interests.
When did the phenomenon start
The trouble began when Cameroon switched to a professional army after 2001. With the transition from conscription to a professional army, soldiers no longer serve out of pure loyalty to their country, the institute says. Instead, they see their military role as a means of earning a living, as described by the French sociologist and philosopher Augustin Hamon.
This has transformed Cameroon’s army into a specialized workforce. Soldiers possess valuable technical knowledge and a strong reputation based on their experience in combating terrorism, maritime piracy and other emerging security threats.
The professionalism of the army means that Cameroonian soldiers no longer have to pursue a lifelong career in the armed forces. Contracts now last three years for enlisted personnel and 10 years for officers. However, most soldiers are automatically reenlisted. Many ignore these regulations, a senior Cameroonian army officer told ISS.
In addition to financial issues, soldiers have expressed concerns about their heavy workload in Cameroon. Military duties have become increasingly dangerous, characterized by increased exposure to danger and increased commitments. Many recruits are reconsidering their options amid these pressures.
Government measures
In response, the Minister of Defence has temporarily suspended military deployments abroad and has called for stricter supervision of defence and security personnel. This includes taking appropriate measures against desertion, including dismissal from service and prosecution.
Regulations for military personnel wishing to leave the country have also been tightened. They must now seek permission directly from the minister.
In addition to these immediate measures, the Cameroonian army should adopt a loyalty strategy to increase the service of basic and specialist soldiers. Greater emphasis should also be placed on helping soldiers transition to second careers.
At the same time, the Chief of Army Staff should create better conditions to alleviate pressure on the front lines in the Far North, East, coastal and Anglophone regions of the country. Despite progress, troop rotations in these areas remain inadequate for some units.
It is also critical to address the sensitive issue of pay increases in a country where military personnel already earn more than civilians. This could include strengthening compensation packages and properly implementing the benefits the president announced during the military’s 50th anniversary. These included emergency housing for active-duty soldiers and enhanced medical care benefits.
