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The Democratic Republic of Congo has characterized the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as demonstrating "obvious double standards" while enforcing far more extensive penalties in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Sharp Rebuke

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's top diplomat, called for the EU to impose much stronger measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the conflict in eastern DRC.

"This shows clear double standards – I strive to be constructive here – that makes us wondering and inquisitive about understanding why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to take action," she stated.

Ceasefire Deal Background

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a ceasefire deal in June, mediated by the US and Qatar, intending to conclude the long-standing hostilities.

However, fatal assaults on ordinary citizens have persisted and a deadline to reach a lasting resolution was missed in August.

UN Report

Last year, a group of UN experts stated 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 backing M23 and asserts its forces act in national security.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently called upon his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to stop supporting rebel forces in the DRC during a international conference featuring both leaders.

"This necessitates you to order the M23 troops supported by your country to halt this escalation, which has already resulted in sufficient casualties," the president declared.

EU Sanctions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 persons and two organizations – a rebel organization and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility processing contraband materials of the metal – for their involvement in intensifying the conflict.

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

Mineral Issues

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a situation where it has been established that Rwanda has been diverting Congolese resources" mined under severe situations of forced labour, affecting children.

The United States and numerous nations have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in mineral resources in Congo's eastern region, mined via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for export to support armed groups.

Humanitarian Crisis

The unrest in eastern DRC remains one of the world's gravest human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people forced from homes in eastern DRC and 28 million experiencing hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner ratified the agreement with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also attempts to give the United States greater access to Congolese natural resources.

She stated that the US remains engaged in the resolution efforts and denied claims that sole motivation was the DRC's significant natural resources.

EU Cooperation

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a conference by stating that the EU wanted "cooperation based on mutual benefits and acknowledging autonomy."

She featured the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – linking 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 "a great deal has been eclipsed by the situation in Congo's east."