Cameroon’s Ministry of Defense is taking decisive action to prevent soldiers from abandoning their posts to fight in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. A rising number of Cameroonian soldiers have gone absent without leave (AWOL) in recent months, many of whom were reportedly lured by false promises of better opportunities in Europe. These soldiers were deceived by middlemen who offered them contracts that, upon arrival in Eastern Europe, turned out to be a trap. Many returned home in caskets, highlighting the perilous outcome of their decisions.
This desertion comes at a critical time for Cameroon, where military personnel are urgently needed to combat ongoing conflicts in the Northwest and Southwest regions. In response, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo issued a directive to senior military officials, tightening control over soldiers’ movements. The new measure prohibits any member of the defense and security forces from leaving the country without official authorization, which must be signed by the Minister of Defense and vetted by military security.
This crackdown aims to prevent further desertions and ensure the country’s military readiness during a period of heightened internal security needs.
Flag and map of Cameroon on Wikimedia by Darwinek
