As the violence in the Eastern Congo spread, members of the Congo community Toronto claim that they are frustrated by a lack of awareness and a reaction to the crisis.
M23 rebels took over two main cities during weeks, Goma and Bukavu. The UN informs about it Thousands of people were killed From the end of January In this childrenand sexual violence has has increased to levels that have not been visible for years.
Rebels are part of the most outstanding armed groups fighting for control over the rich in the Minerals of the East Congo. The UN and experts say that M23 is supported by neighboring Rwanda and part of the decades of the conflict.
The UN claims that M23 consists largely of the Tutsi fighters. A group of rebels claims that they are fighting to protect Tuessis against poor treatment of Hutu's rule in Congo, but the professor of the University of Carleton claims to be clear The group and other militias are smuggling mineral resources From the country – including the necessary elements used to create batteries for phones, computers and EVs.
“Whatever happens in Congo, it should be seen as an international conflict. This is not limited to Congo, “said Evelyn Namakula Mayanja, an assistant professor at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies of the Carleton University. Mayanji research focuses on extraction and safety of natural resources, focusing on Africa.
Leaders from East and South Africa called on immediate suspension of weapons in the eastern Congo, where rebels threaten to overthrow the Congish government. The rebellious M23 supported by Rwandy took over cities near the capital of Congo, erecting the president of the country contradictory to the officials of Rwanda and other leaders.
Kashoro nyeneeezi is one of the supporters of participating and helping to organize rallies on Sankofa Square in Toronto, commonly known as Yonge and Dundas Square. She and other groups call Canada to take more actions in the matter of the growing but long -lasting crisis He displaced millions of people throughout the country.
“People are bad and the world is watching, says nothing,” she said.
Nyenyezi, who moved to Toronto as a foreign student from the USA in 2021, says that she had not been able to contact her family in Congo for over two weeks. While her older parents, daughter and granddaughter live in Bukavu, her sister and family got stuck in Goma and she is not sure if they are okay.
“Telephones don't work. It's just crazy. I only receive news about people who die, we have lost relatives, “said Nyenyzi.
“This is so traumatic and we lived earlier, so we don't understand how it is still happening and the world looks.”
No words about special asylum measures from Ottawa
Some supporters say that Canada should sanction Rwanda, support the end of the conflict and help Congish families trying to escape from the region.
People in Toronto with his family in conflict zones must observe their loved ones dying, says Jean Ilembu Lombe, vice president of Communauté Congolaise de Toronto GTA. He said that Canada should increase, especially considering that it has in other international crises in recent years.
“When the war began between Russia and Ukraine, Canada and the international community, many, many decisions, many, many humanitarian actions made,” said Ilembu Lombe. “Today, Congress, we can say that nobody looks at what happened in Congo.”
When CBC Toronto contacted global matters in order to comment on what Congolese supporters ask for, the spokesman referred to previously published statement of the G7 foreign ministers on the conflict.
“We call M23 and Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) to stop their offensive in all directions. We call on urgent protection of civilians, “reads.
“We grow the destructive consequences of the renovated offensive M23 and RDF, deteriorating difficult humanitarian conditions. G7 ministers of foreign affairs call for a quick, safe and undisturbed adoption of humanitarian aid for civilians and repeat that humanitarian staff must be ensured by ensuring security. “
Global matters did not answer whether Canada would create special asylum for Congish citizens, just like what he offered to Ukrainians.
The conflict is complex, says the researcher
The long -term conflict is partly related to Belgian government rule in the region and genocide in Rwanda from 1994The UN says when about 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis, were killed by Rwandan military extremists and Hutu.
“The situation is very complex,” said Mayanja. “But we have to try to understand it.”
“Canada has a role to play.”
Nyenyezi claims that minerals in Congo help power countless Canadians every day, people should contact local representatives and ask them to take action.
“I would ask everyone not to be ignorant,” she said. “You don't have to be a leader to speak.”
Supporters are planning to watch Solidarity with the Congish Nation on Saturday afternoon at Nathan Phillips Square.