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The Democratic Republic of Congo has described the European Union's ongoing minerals deal with Rwanda as demonstrating "clear double standards" while enforcing far more extensive sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Government Sharp Rebuke

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, urged the EU to implement significantly tougher measures against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the violence in eastern DRC.

"It represents obvious inconsistency – I aim to be productive here – that leaves us questioning and inquisitive about comprehending why the EU continues to hesitate so much to enact sanctions," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement History

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

However, fatal assaults on non-combatants have endured and a time limit to establish a comprehensive peace agreement was passed without success in August.

UN Report

Last year, a United Nations panel reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 insurgent faction and that the Rwandan military was in "de facto control of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23 and asserts its forces act in self-protection.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently called upon his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing armed groups in the DRC during a European gathering attended by both leaders.

"This requires you to command the M23 troops supported by your country to stop this escalation, which has already led to numerous fatalities," Tshisekedi stated.

EU Sanctions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 people and two groups – a militant group and a Rwandan gold refiner processing contraband materials of the metal – for their participation in intensifying the conflict.

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

Economic Implications

Wagner characterized the memorandum of understanding with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a situation where it has been established that Rwanda has been siphoning off Congolese resources" obtained under harsh circumstances of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and numerous nations have raised concerns about illegal trade in precious metals in DRC's east, mined via coerced employment, then illegally transported to Rwanda for shipment to benefit militant factions.

Regional Emergency

The unrest in Congo's east remains one of the world's gravest human catastrophes, with more than 7.8 million people internally displaced in the region and 28 million experiencing nutritional challenges, including 4 million at emergency levels, according to UN reports.

Global Involvement

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

She maintained that the US remains involved in the diplomatic negotiations and denied claims that sole motivation was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

EU Cooperation

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a gathering by stating that the EU wanted "collaboration based on shared objectives and acknowledging autonomy."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – connecting 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 conflict in eastern DRC."