Since violence in the eastern Congo spreads, members of the Congolese community in Toronto say that they are frustrated by Canada’s lack of awareness and reaction to the crisis.
M23 rebels have taken over two large cities within weeks, Goma and Bukavu. The United Nations reported that Thousands of people were killed Since the end of January, including childrenand has sexual violence rose to levels that have not been observed for years.
The rebels are part of the most famous armed groups who fight for control over the mineral -rich east of Congo. The United Nations and Experts say that M23 is supported by neighboring Rwanda and a decades of conflict.
The United Nations says that the M23 mostly consists of Tutsi fighter. The rebel group claims that it is struggling to protect Tutsis from the abuse of Hutu governments in the Congo, but a professor of Carleton University says that the group and other militias smuggle mineral resources from the country – including the essential components that become the charging batteries for the creation of batteries for the creation of batteries for the creation of batteries, including the essential components that are used. Telefone, computer and EVS.
“Whatever happens in the Congo should be perceived as an international conflict. It is not limited to Congo,” said Evelyn Namakula Mayanja, assistant professor at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies at Carleton University. The research of Mayanja focuses on the extraction and safety of the natural resources and focuses on Africa.
Guide from East and South Africa demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Eastern Congo, where rebels threaten the Congolese government. The M23 rebels supported by Rwanda took over the cities near Congo’s Capital and provided the president of the country intensively with Rwandian officials and other leaders.
Kashoro Nyenyezi is one of the lawyers who are present and help to organize rallies on the Sankofa Square in Toronto, who is generally known as Yonge and Dundas Square. You and other groups ask Canada to take more measures against the growing but long -term crisis has sold millions of people across the country.
“People are angry and watched the world and says nothing,” she said.
Nyenyezi, who moved to Toronto as an international student from the USA in 2021, said she had not been able to contact her family in the Congo for over two weeks. While her older parents, her daughter and her granddaughter live in Bukavu, her sister and family are stuck in Goma and she is not sure whether you are doing well.
“The phones don’t work. It’s just crazy. I only get news about people who die, relatives that we have lost,” said Nyenyezi.
“It’s just traumatizing and we have lived it before, so we don’t understand how this is still going on and the world looks like.”
Not a word about special asylum measures from Ottawa
Some supporters say that Canada should sanction Rwanda, support the end of the conflict and help Congolese families to flee the region.
Those in Toronto with the family in the conflict zones must see their loved ones, says Jean Ilembu Lombe, the Vice President of the Communauté Congolaise de Toronto GTA. He said Canada should appear, especially in view of the fact that it has in other international crises in recent years.
“When the war between Russia and Ukraine, Canada and the International Community began, many, many, many decisions, many, many humanitarian actions,” said Ilembu Lombe. “Today the Congolese can say that nobody looks at what happened in the Congo.”
When CBC Toronto turned to global matters to get a comment about what Congolese lawyers demand, a spokesman referred to a previously published statement by the G7 Foreign Minister on the conflict.
“We ask M23 and Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) to set their offensive in all directions. We are calling for the urgent protection of the civilian population,” it says.
“We regret the devastating consequences of the renewed M23 and RDF offensive and are already deteriorating difficult humanitarian conditions. G7 Foreign Minister calls for the quick, safe and unimpeded farewell to humanitarian relief for civilians and repeat that humanitarian personnel must be ensured to take care of security . “
Global matters did not answer whether Canada would create special asylum measures for Congolese citizens, similar to how the Ukrainians offered.
Conflict is complex, says researcher
The long -term conflict is partially connected with Belgium’s colonial rule in the region and in the Rwandian genocide of 1994The UN says when around 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis, were killed by the Rwandic military and Hutu extremist.
“The situation is very complex,” said Mayanja. “But we have to try to understand it at least.”
“Canada plays a role.”
Nyenyzi says when you consider that minerals in the Congo help to operate countless Canadians every day, people should contact their local representatives and ask them to take measures.
“I would ask everyone not to be ignorant,” she said. “You don’t have to be a leader to comment.”
Proponents plan a vigil in solidarity with Congolese people on Saturday afternoon at Nathan Phillips Square.
