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The Central African nation has described the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as showing "obvious double standards" while imposing much broader sanctions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, urged the EU to impose much stronger restrictions against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the unrest in Congo's eastern region.

"This shows clear inconsistency – I strive to be constructive here – that leaves us curious and concerned about grasping why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to enact sanctions," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a peace agreement in June, brokered by the US and Qatar, intending to conclude the decades-old conflict.

However, deadly attacks on civilians have persisted and a target date to establish a comprehensive peace agreement was not met in August.

International Findings

Last year, a group of UN experts found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has repeatedly rejected backing M23 and asserts 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 featuring both leaders.

"This requires you to command the M23 troops supported by your country to halt this intensification, which has already led to numerous deaths," the president declared.

EU Sanctions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 individuals and two organizations – a militant group and a Rwandan gold refiner handling contraband materials of the metal – for their involvement in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these findings of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has rejected calls to suspend a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Mineral Issues

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a situation where it has been established that Rwanda has been diverting Congolese resources" mined under severe situations of forced labour, including children.

The United States and various countries have raised concerns about unauthorized transactions in precious metals in eastern Congo, obtained via forced labour, then illegally transported to Rwanda for shipment to support armed groups.

Regional Emergency

The unrest in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's worst emergency situations, with over 7.8 million people relocated within country in the region and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN data.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner approved the deal with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also seeks to give the United States greater access to African wealth.

She maintained that the US remains engaged in the peace process and rejected claims that main concern was the DRC's extensive resource deposits.

International Collaboration

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a summit by declaring that the EU wanted "partnerships based on shared objectives and honoring independence."

She featured the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – joining 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 "a great deal has been overshadowed by the crisis in eastern DRC."