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The DRC has characterized the European Union's persistent minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "obvious hypocrisy" while implementing far more extensive restrictions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Diplomatic Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, demanded the EU to implement significantly tougher sanctions against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the conflict in Congo's eastern region.

"This demonstrates obvious hypocrisy – I want to be constructive here – that has us questioning and concerned about comprehending why the EU again struggles so much to take action," she stated.

Ceasefire Deal History

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a ceasefire deal in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, designed to conclude the protracted hostilities.

However, lethal incidents on non-combatants have persisted and a deadline to establish a lasting resolution was missed in August.

Expert Assessment

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 "actual command of M23 operations."

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

Presidential Appeal

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently called upon his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing armed groups in the DRC during a Brussels event including both leaders.

"This requires you to order the M23 troops backed by your country to halt this deterioration, which has already led to numerous fatalities," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 persons and two entities – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner handling unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these determinations of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the Brussels administration has declined calls to cancel a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner labeled the memorandum of understanding with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a situation where it has been verified that Rwanda has been siphoning off Congolese resources" mined under brutal conditions of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and various countries have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in DRC's east, obtained via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for export to finance armed groups.

Human Catastrophe

The conflict in eastern DRC remains one of the world's gravest human catastrophes, with more than 7.8 million people forced from homes in affected areas and 28 million experiencing nutritional challenges, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN reports.

Diplomatic Efforts

As the DRC's principal negotiator, Wagner ratified the deal with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States greater access to Congolese natural resources.

She maintained that the US remains engaged in the peace process and rejected claims that sole motivation was the DRC's significant natural resources.

EU Cooperation

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a gathering by declaring that the EU wanted "partnerships based on mutual benefits and acknowledging autonomy."

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 strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "much has been overshadowed by the conflict in the troubled region."