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The DRC has labeled the European Union's continued minerals partnership with Rwanda as demonstrating "obvious hypocrisy" while enforcing far more extensive restrictions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Foreign Minister's Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, urged the EU to impose much stronger measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the conflict in eastern DRC.

"This shows obvious double standards – I want to be helpful here – that has us questioning and inquisitive about comprehending why the EU continues to hesitate so much to enact sanctions," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement Context

The DRC and Rwanda signed a ceasefire deal in June, mediated by the US and Qatar, designed to conclude the protracted dispute.

However, fatal assaults on non-combatants have persisted and a time limit to establish a final settlement was passed without success in August.

International Findings

Last year, a group of UN experts found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "de facto control of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied assisting M23 and maintains its forces act in national security.

Presidential Appeal

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently called upon his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to end assistance to rebel forces in the DRC during a European gathering featuring both leaders.

"This demands you to order the M23 troops backed by your country to end this escalation, which has already caused enough casualties," Tshisekedi stated.

International Restrictions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 individuals and two organizations – a militant group and a Rwandan precious metals processor processing contraband materials of the metal – for their participation in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these findings of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has declined calls to cancel a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Mineral Issues

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "lacking all legitimacy in a situation where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been illegally extracting Congolese resources" obtained under brutal conditions of compulsory work, involving children.

The United States and numerous nations have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in precious metals in DRC's east, mined via compulsory work, then illegally transported to Rwanda for shipment to support rebel organizations.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's most severe emergency situations, with over 7.8 million people internally displaced in eastern DRC and 28 million confronting hunger issues, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner approved the accord with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also seeks to give the United States enhanced entry to DRC minerals.

She stated that the US remains involved in the peace process and dismissed allegations that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources.

International Collaboration

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a summit by declaring that the EU wanted "cooperation based on mutual benefits and acknowledging autonomy."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – transportation infrastructure transport links – linking the resource-rich areas of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been overshadowed by the situation in Congo's east."