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The Democratic Republic of Congo has characterized the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as showing "evident double standards" while implementing far more extensive sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Diplomatic Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's top diplomat, demanded the EU to implement significantly tougher restrictions against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the conflict in eastern DRC.

"This demonstrates obvious hypocrisy – I want to be productive here – that makes us curious and inquisitive about understanding why the EU again struggles so much to take action," she declared.

Peace Agreement History

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a peace agreement in June, brokered by the United States and Qatar, designed to end the long-standing conflict.

However, lethal incidents on non-combatants have endured and a time limit to establish a final settlement was passed without success in August.

International Findings

Last year, a United Nations panel reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has continually refuted backing M23 and maintains its forces act in self-protection.

Diplomatic Request

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

"This demands you to order the M23 troops assisted by your country to halt this escalation, which has already caused numerous deaths," Tshisekedi stated.

European Measures

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 individuals and two groups – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner handling unauthorized sources of the metal – for their role in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has resisted requests to terminate a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Mineral Issues

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been diverting DRC minerals" mined under brutal conditions of compulsory work, affecting children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in DRC's east, mined via forced labour, then smuggled to Rwanda for export to benefit armed groups.

Regional Emergency

The unrest in eastern DRC remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people relocated within country in eastern DRC and 28 million facing hunger issues, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner signed the agreement with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also attempts to give the United States enhanced entry to Congolese natural resources.

She maintained that the US remains involved in the resolution efforts and dismissed allegations that primary interest was the DRC's extensive resource deposits.

European Partnership

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

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

Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "significant aspects has been overshadowed by the situation in eastern DRC."