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The DRC has characterized the European Union's persistent minerals deal with Rwanda as exhibiting "obvious double standards" while imposing significantly wider sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, called for the EU to enact significantly tougher sanctions against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the unrest in Congo's eastern region.

"This demonstrates obvious inconsistency – I strive to be constructive here – that leaves us questioning and inquisitive about understanding why the EU again struggles so much to implement measures," she emphasized.

Conflict Resolution Context

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a peace agreement in June, brokered by the United States and Qatar, aiming to resolve the long-standing conflict.

However, lethal incidents on civilians have endured and a deadline to achieve a final settlement was missed in August.

International Findings

Last year, a international assessment team found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 insurgent faction and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied backing M23 and maintains its forces act in self-protection.

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 European gathering including both leaders.

"This necessitates you to command the M23 troops supported by your country to end this escalation, which has already caused numerous fatalities," the leader emphasized.

EU Sanctions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 people and two groups – a armed faction and a Rwandan gold refiner 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 EU executive has resisted demands to terminate a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner described the agreement with Rwanda as "lacking all legitimacy in a context where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been illegally extracting DRC minerals" mined under severe situations of compulsory work, involving children.

The United States and various countries have voiced apprehension about illegal trade in precious metals in eastern Congo, mined via coerced employment, then illegally transported to Rwanda for export to finance militant factions.

Human Catastrophe

The violence in eastern DRC remains one of the world's worst human catastrophes, with more than 7.8 million people relocated within country in affected areas and 28 million experiencing hunger issues, including 4 million at emergency levels, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner approved the accord with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also aims to give the United States greater access to DRC minerals.

She stated that the US remains involved in the peace process and rejected allegations that sole motivation was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

European Partnership

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a gathering by declaring that the EU wanted "collaboration based on mutual benefits and respect for sovereignty."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – connecting the mining regions 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 overshadowed by the crisis in Congo's east."