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The DRC has characterized the European Union's persistent minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "evident hypocrisy" while imposing much broader sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Diplomatic Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, urged the EU to impose far more severe sanctions against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the unrest in Congo's eastern region.

"This demonstrates evident double standards – I aim to be helpful here – that has us wondering and concerned about grasping why the EU again struggles so much to implement measures," she declared.

Ceasefire Deal Background

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a conflict resolution in June, brokered by the US and Qatar, intending to end the long-standing hostilities.

However, fatal assaults on civilians have endured and a target date to reach a comprehensive peace agreement was not met in August.

International Findings

Last year, a international assessment team stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were supporting the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "actual command of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied backing M23 and claims its forces act in national security.

Presidential Appeal

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing rebel forces in the DRC during a European gathering featuring both leaders.

"This necessitates you to order the M23 troops backed by your country to halt this intensification, which has already resulted in sufficient casualties," the leader emphasized.

EU Sanctions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 people and two groups – a militant group and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility processing unauthorized sources of the metal – for their role in fuelling the conflict.

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

Mineral Issues

Wagner described the memorandum of understanding with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a context where it has been verified that Rwanda has been diverting African wealth" mined under harsh circumstances of coerced employment, involving children.

The United States and numerous nations have raised concerns about illicit commerce in mineral resources in eastern Congo, mined via forced labour, then illegally transported to Rwanda for export to finance militant factions.

Human Catastrophe

The violence in eastern DRC remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people forced from homes in affected areas and 28 million experiencing food insecurity, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN reports.

Diplomatic Efforts

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner signed the agreement with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States greater access to DRC minerals.

She maintained that the US remains engaged in the resolution efforts and rejected claims that primary interest was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

European Partnership

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a summit by declaring that the EU wanted "partnerships based on shared objectives and acknowledging autonomy."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – linking the mineral heartlands of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's western shoreline.

Wagner acknowledged that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "significant aspects has been eclipsed by the crisis in eastern DRC."