Amnesty International has urged African leaders attending the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow to demand an immediate end to the recruitment of African nationals into Russia’s military to fight in Ukraine.
In a media advisory dated October 27, 2026, the human rights organisation called on African governments to raise the issue directly with Russian authorities during the summit, which is taking place from October 28 to 29 at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Centre in Moscow, Russia.
Amnesty’s African section directors warned that remaining silent on the issue would be a disservice to citizens whose lives could be at risk through deceptive and coercive recruitment practices.
“For African leaders to remain silent on this issue would be a profound disservice to the people of their countries,” the directors said in an open letter ahead of the summit.
The organisation urged African leaders to demand that Russia immediately stop the recruitment practices, which it said, in many cases, could amount to human trafficking under international law.
Amnesty also called on African governments to reject any practice that treats their citizens as commodities for the political and military interests of other countries.
The appeal comes as African governments continue to speak out about the lasting effects of colonialism and the importance of sovereignty and African agency in international affairs.
The organisation said these principles should also guide leaders in protecting their citizens from exploitation, regardless of where it occurs.
Amnesty further called for investigations and prosecutions in all cases of human trafficking involving the recruitment of foreign nationals into Russia’s military.
It said action should be taken against state officials and other individuals involved in the practices, including those acting with the acquiescence of Russian authorities.
In a briefing published on September 10, 2026, titled Russia: Trafficking of Foreign Nationals to Fight in Ukraine, Amnesty International documented how Russian authorities reportedly recruit people from African countries through deception, coercion and the exploitation of economic hardship.
According to the organisation, these practices have drawn some African nationals into devastating military combat far from their home countries, often in circumstances that leave them with little or no choice but to fight.
The report highlighted concerns about the vulnerability of people facing economic difficulties and how their circumstances may be exploited to recruit them into military service.
Amnesty is now calling on African leaders to use their participation in the Russia-Africa Summit to seek concrete action from Moscow and push for measures to prevent further cases of trafficking and exploitation.
The organisation said its spokespeople would be available for interviews during the summit.
The meeting brings together African leaders and other delegates in Moscow for discussions on relations between Russia and African countries. Amnesty’s appeal adds pressure on participating governments to address the reported recruitment of their citizens and demand accountability for alleged trafficking practices linked to the war in Ukraine.
