Premier Blaine Higgs is urging Ottawa to redouble its efforts on behalf of Fredrick (Freddy) Wangabo Mwenengabo, a Canadian who was kidnapped in the eastern city of Goma
New Brunswick’s Premier is demanding the federal government act quickly to save the life of a Fredericton man who was kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been held in captivity for more than four months.
Mr. Mwenengabo, in his late 40s, has lived in New Brunswick since 2009, working to support francophone newcomers to Canada. He, his brother and a friend were kidnapped by an unidentified group on Dec. 16, 2023, while he was visiting family in Goma, said his son, Simon Chinamula of Miramichi, N.B. Mr. Chinamula, who has recently been off work from his job as a data analyst and correction officer because of the stress of the situation, decried the lack of support from the Canadian government.
“They are focusing on useless things instead of a practical plan to rescue Freddy,” Mr. Chinamula told The Globe. Mr. Pardy, who has helped secure the release of more than 100 Canadians in hostage or kidnapping situations during his career, said there has been no indication of any efforts from Ottawa to free Mr. Mwenengabo, and little communication with his family except for a report of an RCMP officer who met with local officials in Goma in late December.
Complicating the case is there is no functioning local government in Goma, which is currently under siege by the M23 rebel militia group. The group is supported by neighbouring Rwanda, Uganda and foreign mining companies, some of which are Canadian, Mr. Pardy said.
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