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The DRC has labeled the European Union's persistent minerals deal with Rwanda as exhibiting "evident hypocrisy" while enforcing significantly wider restrictions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's international affairs chief, called for the EU to enact far more severe restrictions against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the violence in eastern DRC.

"It represents evident hypocrisy – I want to be productive here – that makes us wondering and interested about grasping why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to implement measures," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a peace agreement in June, brokered by the America and Qatar, designed to resolve the long-standing dispute.

However, lethal incidents on civilians have endured and a time limit to achieve a final settlement was passed without success in August.

International Findings

Last year, a group of UN experts reported 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 continually refuted supporting M23 and asserts its forces act in national security.

Presidential Appeal

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing militants in the DRC during a Brussels event featuring both leaders.

"This necessitates you to command the M23 troops assisted by your country to halt this deterioration, which has already caused enough casualties," the president declared.

EU Sanctions

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

Despite these conclusions of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the Brussels administration has resisted demands to suspend a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner labeled the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a context where it has been established that Rwanda has been diverting African wealth" mined under severe situations of compulsory work, affecting children.

The United States and many others have expressed alarm about unauthorized transactions in mineral resources in DRC's east, obtained via compulsory work, then illegally transported to Rwanda for export to support militant factions.

Regional Emergency

The conflict in Congo's east remains one of the world's most severe emergency situations, with more than 7.8 million people relocated within country in the region and 28 million facing hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN data.

International Engagement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner approved the deal with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also seeks to give the United States enhanced entry to Congolese natural resources.

She stated that the US remains engaged in the peace process and dismissed suggestions that sole motivation was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

International Collaboration

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

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – connecting the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's western shoreline.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been eclipsed by the crisis in eastern DRC."