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The DRC has characterized the European Union's ongoing minerals deal with Rwanda as demonstrating "obvious hypocrisy" while imposing much broader restrictions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Government Sharp Rebuke

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's international affairs chief, called for the EU to implement much stronger restrictions against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the unrest in eastern DRC.

"This shows clear double standards – I want to be helpful here – that leaves us curious and concerned about comprehending why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to enact sanctions," she declared.

Conflict Resolution History

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

However, fatal assaults on civilians have persisted and a target date to establish a final settlement was passed without success in August.

International Findings

Last year, a international assessment team found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "de facto control of M23 operations."

Rwanda has repeatedly rejected supporting M23 and claims its forces act in national security.

Presidential Appeal

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

"This necessitates you to instruct the M23 troops assisted by your country to halt this deterioration, which has already caused enough deaths," the leader emphasized.

International Restrictions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 people and two organizations – a armed faction and a Rwandan precious metals processor handling unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in fuelling the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has declined demands to suspend a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner labeled the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a situation where it has been established that Rwanda has been siphoning off African wealth" mined under severe situations of forced labour, including children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in eastern Congo, mined via coerced employment, then illegally transported to Rwanda for international trade to benefit armed groups.

Human Catastrophe

The conflict in eastern DRC remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with more than 7.8 million people internally displaced in the region and 28 million confronting hunger issues, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN assessments.

Diplomatic Efforts

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

She maintained that the US remains involved in the peace process and dismissed suggestions that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources.

EU Cooperation

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a summit by stating that the EU wanted "partnerships based on shared objectives and honoring independence."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – connecting the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's Atlantic coast.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "significant aspects has been overshadowed by the crisis in the troubled region."