🔗 Share this article

The Central African nation has labeled the European Union's ongoing minerals agreement with Rwanda as demonstrating "clear double standards" while enforcing much broader sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Diplomatic Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's foreign minister, called for the EU to enact much stronger measures against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the conflict in eastern DRC.

"This shows evident inconsistency – I want to be productive here – that makes us wondering and concerned about comprehending why the EU continues to hesitate so much to implement measures," she emphasized.

Ceasefire Deal Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a conflict resolution in June, brokered by the America and Qatar, intending to conclude the protracted conflict.

However, deadly attacks on non-combatants have endured and a time limit to reach a lasting resolution was not met in August.

International Findings

Last year, a group of UN experts found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has continually refuted backing M23 and maintains its forces act in self-defence.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently appealed to his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to end assistance to armed groups in the DRC during a Brussels event featuring both leaders.

"This demands you to instruct the M23 troops backed by your country to stop this deterioration, which has already caused sufficient casualties," the leader emphasized.

International Restrictions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 individuals and two entities – a militant group and a Rwandan gold refiner handling illegal supplies of the metal – for their role in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these determinations of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has declined requests to suspend a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a environment where it has been established that Rwanda has been diverting Congolese resources" mined under brutal conditions of compulsory work, involving children.

The United States and various countries have raised concerns about illegal trade in gold and tantalum in eastern Congo, obtained via compulsory work, then trafficked to Rwanda for shipment to finance rebel organizations.

Regional Emergency

The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's worst emergency situations, with over 7.8 million people relocated within country in affected areas and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at emergency levels, according to UN assessments.

International Engagement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner ratified the deal with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also aims to give the United States expanded opportunity to DRC minerals.

She stated that the US remains participating in the resolution efforts and rejected claims that sole motivation was the DRC's extensive resource deposits.

International Collaboration

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, inaugurated a gathering by declaring that the EU wanted "collaboration based on common interests and acknowledging autonomy."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – joining the mineral heartlands of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

Wagner acknowledged that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "much has been diminished by the crisis in Congo's east."