The family of a New Brunswick human rights activist held in captivity in Congo for nearly four months is calling on the federal government to intervene.
Frederick Mwenengabo, who lives in Fredericton, was kidnapped in the city of Goma in the central African country on Dec. 16, 2023, according to his sons. He has been in captivity ever since.
Simon Chinamula, one of Mwenengabo’s adopted sons, said Global Affairs Canada has provided no updates or information since the kidnapping was reported. He’s concerned by the lack of action from the federal government.
“Their citizen is in danger and they are silent,” he said. “The communication is not clear. We have no clue what they are doing.”
Mwenengabo, a Canadian and Congolese citizen, has been living in New Brunswick since 2009. He has long spoken out against human rights abuses in his home country.
In 2012, Mwenengabo went on a hunger strike to try to convince government officials to boycott a Francophonie summit in Kinshasha, Congo.
Mwenengabo has worked at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton and is director of the East and Central Africa Association for Indigenous Rights. He’s also worked to help settle francophone newcomers in the Fredericton region.
As part of his work, his sons said he would frequently travel to central Africa for humanitarian aid projects. He was trying to help people displaced by war and violence in eastern Congo during his recent trip, when he was kidnapped.
Health deteriorating in captivity
Mwenengabo’s sons have received messages from kidnappers, who have been demanding ransom payments. They were initially asking for $15 million US, which is about $20.3 million Cdn, for his release.
The group holding him in captivity has sent photos of Mwenengabo and asked his sons for money for food and to provide medical treatment.
One image shows Mwenengabo sitting in handcuffs with a piece of duct tape over his eyes. The second photo is a close-up of his leg, with his foot visibly inflamed.
Lundi Karhibahaza, his other adopted son, said the photos show his father is in poor health, suffering, and may soon be unable to walk.
“I’ve cried so much,” he said. “Physically, he is deteriorating.”
Karhibahaza said he has repeatedly sent letters and emails to provincial and federal officials pleading for help. He said many have gone unanswered.
Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to questions about Mwenengabo’s kidnapping and what the government is doing to try to help.
Family members say only one elected official in New Brunswick has worked to help bring attention to the situation.
Green Party Leader David Coon, who said he knows Mwenengabo well, spoke about the kidnapping in the provincial legislature on Thursday.
“On behalf of Freddy’s family, friends, and colleagues, I urge Members of the Legislature Assembly and all New Brunswickers, all Canadians, to call on the Canadian government to take all possible steps to secure Mr. Mwenengabo’s freedom,” Coon said.
Karhibahaza said he believes the government is not taking his father’s case seriously compared to other cases where Canadian citizens have been kidnapped abroad. He pointed to a situation in 2019, where two University of New Brunswick students were rescued eight days after being abducted in Ghana.
Chinamula said the stress of his father’s situation has resulted in a decline in his own health. He now has trouble concentrating and has been off work since February.
“There is no one human who can see what we are seeing and live what we are going through,” he said.
“Where is the Canadian government, leaving that citizen who has actively contributed to change locally and globally. Why can we leave that life behind?”
