Ahead of the Russia–Africa forum, the heads of Amnesty International's African sections sent an open letter urging participating governments to confront Russia over the recruitment of African nationals to fight in Ukraine. The letter was published on October 27, a day before the Moscow meeting scheduled for October 28–29.
The rights group called on African governments to demand an end to recruitment through deception and coercion, investigate the involvement of intermediaries and officials, and pursue accountability for human trafficking. It also urged governments to protect recruits and assist families who have lost contact with relatives.
The appeal builds on Amnesty's September 10 investigation, based on interviews with foreign nationals who served in Russian forces, relatives and other sources. Interviewees described offers of civilian employment in logistics, construction and security that allegedly turned into military enlistment. Some said their passports and phones were confiscated and that they were prevented from leaving military facilities after signing documents.
Amnesty also documented allegations of recruiters exploiting insecure immigration status and financial hardship. The organization believes some of the practices described may constitute human trafficking; it does not suggest that every foreign national serving in the Russian military was recruited against their will.
The latest letter seeks to turn those findings into a diplomatic issue at the Moscow forum. Amnesty wants the countries whose citizens have been affected to press for investigations, protection for victims and an end to the practices outlined in its earlier report.