Democratic Republic of Congo Criticizes EU's Mineral Deal with Rwanda as ‘Clear Double Standard’

The Central African nation has described the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as exhibiting "clear double standards" while imposing far more extensive sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's top diplomat, called for the EU to implement significantly tougher measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the violence in Congo's eastern region.

"It represents obvious inconsistency – I strive to be constructive here – that makes us curious and concerned about understanding why the EU again struggles so much to implement measures," she stated.

Conflict Resolution History

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a ceasefire deal in June, facilitated by the United States and Qatar, intending to end the decades-old hostilities.

However, fatal assaults on non-combatants have persisted and a time limit to achieve a lasting resolution was missed in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a group of UN experts found 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 continually refuted backing M23 and claims its forces act in self-protection.

Leadership Call

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing rebel forces in the DRC during a European gathering including both leaders.

"This requires you to order the M23 troops supported by your country to end this intensification, which has already led to enough deaths," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 individuals and two entities – a militant group and a Rwandan gold refiner processing unauthorized sources of the metal – for their role in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these findings of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the Brussels administration has resisted calls to cancel a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Mineral Issues

Wagner labeled the partnership with Rwanda as "lacking all legitimacy in a context where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off African wealth" mined under brutal conditions of forced labour, including children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in mineral resources in eastern Congo, obtained via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for international trade to benefit armed groups.

Humanitarian Crisis

The unrest in Congo's east remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with exceeding 7.8 million people forced from homes in affected areas and 28 million facing nutritional challenges, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN assessments.

International Engagement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner ratified the accord 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 resolution efforts and rejected allegations that primary interest was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

International Collaboration

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a summit by emphasizing that the EU wanted "cooperation based on shared objectives and honoring independence."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – transportation infrastructure transport links – connecting the mineral heartlands of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

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