Congolese people in Winnipeg urge Canada to help as decades-long conflict in former home escalates

Congolese Winnipeggers took to the streets this weekend, calling on the Canadian government to act as thousands continue to be displaced or killed in the latest flareup of a decades-long war in Congo.

About 200 people marched from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to the Manitoba Legislative Building on Saturday, aiming to raise awareness about the conflict between the Congolese army and the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group.

Fighting in the eastern region of Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, has led to millions of deaths since the war began in the late 1990s. Almost seven million Congolese have fled their homes because of it, according to the United Nations.

"We came, most of us, as refugees, so we still have those bad memories about the war. When we hear about these things going on again after decades, it brings back those memories," said Emmanuel Kambale, a spokesperson with the Congolese Community of Manitoba.

"Lot of people have been killed. Innocent civilians have been killed, and we're here to say no to that."

Tensions between Congo and neighbouring Rwanda — which has been accused of supporting the rebels — are at a boiling point, triggering concerns about an all-out conflict between the two countries.

Earlier this week, Congo Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde resigned shortly after France called on Rwanda to stop backing M23.

Rwanda rejects the accusations, which are backed by the U.S., Congo and UN experts.

'Canada can do something'

Demonstrators called for the Canadian government to step up and try to solve the issue through diplomacy.

"If it's possible for Ukraine [to get help], it should also be possible to help Congo," said Paul Kambaja, a teacher who has lived in Winnipeg for more than 20 years.

Kambaja said there are multiple Canadian mining companies doing business in Congo, and he wonders why the Canadian government isn't doing something to help.

"We want Manitoba to know that every time they use their phones, they're using their TVs or any electronic device, those minerals … are coming from Congo, and the people of Congo are dying," he said.

"We decided to raise awareness in Canada because we believe Canada can do something for Congolese people."

'You don't know who is alive, who is dead'

Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Saturday it's profoundly worried about the increase in hostilities, adding that Canada financially supports UN peacekeeping missions in the country.

The government said it's calling on Rwanda to stop supporting M23, Congo to stop its support of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda — a Hutu-led rebel group operating from Congo — and other non-state armed groups to withdraw the region.

Kambaja said he's been at events denouncing the war for many years. He said some of the children born to Congolese parents in Canada since the conflict began are now old enough to help organize the protests.

Johise Namwira said she's been hearing stories about the war since she was a child.

"I have never seen a free Congo in my lifetime," she said. "And this genocide continues to take the lives of innocent women, innocent children, innocent families who have taken refuge in different countries."

Kambale said many in the community still have links to their old country, and that they're worried about their families.

"You don't know who is alive, who is dead," he said. "It's even tough to get in touch with them. And that's the panic people are living in right now here in Winnipeg."