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The DRC has characterized the European Union's ongoing minerals deal with Rwanda as demonstrating "obvious double standards" while imposing far more extensive sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, called for the EU to impose far more severe measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the conflict in DRC's eastern territories.

"This shows clear hypocrisy – I want to be productive here – that has us curious and inquisitive about comprehending why the EU again struggles so much to enact sanctions," she emphasized.

Ceasefire Deal Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a peace agreement in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, intending to conclude the protracted conflict.

However, deadly attacks on civilians have continued and a deadline to reach a comprehensive peace agreement was missed in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a United Nations panel reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has continually refuted supporting M23 and claims its forces act in national security.

Leadership Call

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently appealed to his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to end assistance to rebel forces in the DRC during a international conference attended by both leaders.

"This demands you to instruct the M23 troops supported by your country to halt this escalation, which has already resulted in sufficient fatalities," the leader emphasized.

International Restrictions

The EU has enacted measures targeting 32 individuals and two organizations – a rebel organization and a Rwandan precious metals processor handling contraband materials of the metal – for their involvement in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has rejected demands to cancel a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner characterized the memorandum of understanding with Rwanda as "lacking all legitimacy in a environment where it has been established that Rwanda has been siphoning off DRC minerals" obtained under severe situations of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and numerous nations have voiced apprehension about illegal trade in gold and tantalum in DRC's east, extracted via compulsory work, then illegally transported to Rwanda for shipment to finance armed groups.

Regional Emergency

The violence in eastern DRC remains one of the world's gravest emergency situations, with exceeding 7.8 million people forced from homes in eastern DRC and 28 million facing hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

International Engagement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner approved the deal with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also attempts to give the United States expanded opportunity to African wealth.

She asserted that the US remains involved in the diplomatic negotiations and denied claims that primary interest was the DRC's significant natural resources.

European Partnership

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a gathering by declaring that the EU wanted "collaboration based on common interests and honoring independence."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – connecting the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "much has been eclipsed by the situation in eastern DRC."