Russia's Process for Recruiting Zimbabweans to Fight in Ukraine

 Aljazeera published on 14 May 2026 an article titled "Zimbabweans Lured into Russia's War as Families Plead for Their Return" by Enos Denhere.

This is a detailed account of the process Russia uses to recruit Zimbabweans, especially those who went to South Africa and failed to find employment, to fight on Moscow's side in the war against Ukraine.  In many cases, recruiters used deception and false promises to lure the Zimbabweans.  

Cameroon Confirms Death of 16 Nationals Fighting with Russia in Ukraine

 Africa News published on 7 April 2026 an article titled "War in Ukraine: Cameroon Confirms Death of 16 Nationals Enlisted in Russian Army" by Sarah Miansoni.

Cameroon's Minister of External Affairs confirmed the death of 16 of its nationals fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Russia's Future in Africa Less Secure after Wagner Mutiny

 Vice News published on 30 June 2023 an article titled "'No New Clients': Russia's Prospects in Africa Look Bleak after Wagner Mutiny" by Dipo Faloyin.  

The Wagner Group is in Africa mostly to keep regimes in power and to enhance Russian influence.  While Wagner continued its recruitment of new mercenaries after the mutiny and will likely maintain ongoing operations in Africa, it may not add new clients.

Radicalization and Al-Shabaab Recruitment in Somalia

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published in September 2014 a study titled "Radicalisation and Al-Shabaab Recruitment in Somalia" by Anneli Botha, senior researcher at ISS in Pretoria, and Mahdi Abdile, FCA deputy regional representative for East and Southern Africa.

The researchers interviewed former al-Shabaab fighters and identified a complex array of reasons why they joined the organization.  The reasons include religious identity, socio-economic circumstances (education, unemployment), political circumstances, and the need for a collective identity and sense of belonging.