Members of the Sudanese community in Toronto express feelings of abandonment by the Canadian government amidst the worsening violence in Sudan, despite a humanitarian ceasefire proposal accepted by Sudan’s paramilitary. Rebel forces seized El Fasher on Oct. 26 after an 18-month siege, leading to disturbing reports of extortion, rape, and mass civilian killings. Mamoun Hassan, a Sudanese Canadian filmmaker in the Greater Toronto Area, highlights the community’s perception of Canada’s inadequate response to the crisis, stating a sense of betrayal and disillusionment.
The conflict in Sudan, labeled by the UN as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis since April 2023, primarily involves the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Following the RSF’s control of El Fasher, numerous reports emerged of mass atrocities, prompting tens of thousands of Sudanese civilians to flee the region. Sudanese Canadians like Iman Abbaro express deep grief and criticize the Canadian government for not aligning with its pro-refugee and pro-immigration image, urging easier pathways for Sudanese asylum seekers to enter Canada.
While Canada has implemented measures like extending stays for Sudanese nationals and family reunification programs, Hassan argues that the response remains inadequate compared to other refugee groups. Hassan criticizes the government’s delay in processing applications due to immigration level adjustments, stressing the need for a more humanitarian approach. The York University Sudanese Student Association calls for coordinated humanitarian aid, emphasizing the urgency of peace, accountability, and meaningful international support for those affected by the crisis.
Jeffrey MacDonald from IRCC acknowledges Canada’s concern for the Sudan conflict and emphasizes tailoring responses to meet unique needs. Despite an increase in family sponsorship applications processed, applications under the family-based permanent residence pathway for Sudan conflict-affected individuals are currently on hold. Concerned individuals like Ismail Kabar, a Darfur immigrant to Toronto, demand a stronger international humanitarian response through peaceful protests and appeals for aid to help those impacted by the violence in Sudan.