Family calls on Canadian government to help Fredericton man kidnapped in Congo

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.

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.