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The DRC has characterized the European Union's continued minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "obvious hypocrisy" while enforcing far more extensive restrictions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Foreign Minister's Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's foreign minister, demanded the EU to implement far more severe sanctions against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the unrest in eastern DRC.

"This demonstrates clear hypocrisy – I aim to be constructive here – that has us curious and concerned about understanding why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to implement measures," she stated.

Peace Agreement History

The DRC and Rwanda signed a ceasefire deal in June, facilitated by the US and Qatar, designed to conclude the long-standing conflict.

However, fatal assaults on ordinary citizens have continued and a deadline to establish a final settlement was missed in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a international assessment team reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were supporting the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied assisting M23 and claims its forces act in self-protection.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to stop supporting militants in the DRC during a international conference including both leaders.

"This requires you to instruct the M23 troops supported by your country to stop this deterioration, which has already caused numerous casualties," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has enacted measures targeting 32 persons and two organizations – a armed faction and a Rwandan gold refiner processing contraband materials of the metal – for their role in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of human rights abuses by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has rejected calls to terminate a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner described the agreement with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a environment where it has been established that Rwanda has been diverting Congolese resources" obtained under brutal conditions of forced labour, including children.

The United States and numerous nations have voiced apprehension about illegal trade in mineral resources in DRC's east, extracted via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for export to finance armed groups.

Regional Emergency

The unrest in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's most severe emergency situations, with over 7.8 million people relocated within country in eastern DRC and 28 million experiencing hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner ratified the accord with Rwanda at the American administration in June, which also seeks to give the United States enhanced entry to African wealth.

She maintained that the US remains participating in the resolution efforts and rejected allegations that primary interest was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

European Partnership

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a summit by emphasizing that the EU wanted "cooperation based on common interests and acknowledging autonomy."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – linking the mineral heartlands of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

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