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The DRC has characterized the European Union's ongoing minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "obvious contradiction" while imposing far more extensive sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Government Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's foreign minister, urged the EU to impose significantly tougher measures against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the conflict in eastern DRC.

"This demonstrates clear inconsistency – I strive to be constructive here – that has us wondering and interested about comprehending why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to implement measures," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a conflict resolution in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, intending to conclude the decades-old conflict.

However, deadly attacks on non-combatants have persisted and a time limit to reach a final settlement was missed in August.

International Findings

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

Rwanda has consistently denied assisting M23 and claims its forces act in self-protection.

Leadership Call

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to stop supporting armed groups in the DRC during a European gathering attended by both leaders.

"This requires you to command the M23 troops assisted by your country to end this escalation, which has already led to enough deaths," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 people and two groups – a armed faction and a Rwandan gold refiner handling unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these determinations of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has declined requests to suspend a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner labeled the agreement with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a context where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been illegally extracting African wealth" extracted under brutal conditions of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in precious metals in Congo's eastern region, mined via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for shipment to benefit armed groups.

Regional Emergency

The violence in eastern DRC remains one of the world's most severe emergency situations, with more than 7.8 million people forced from homes in the region and 28 million experiencing hunger issues, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN reports.

Diplomatic Efforts

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner ratified the deal with Rwanda at the American administration in June, which also seeks to give the United States enhanced entry to DRC minerals.

She stated that the US remains participating in the diplomatic negotiations and rejected allegations that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources.

EU Cooperation

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, inaugurated a summit by emphasizing that the EU wanted "cooperation based on common interests and honoring independence."

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

Wagner acknowledged that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been eclipsed by the conflict in Congo's east."