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The Democratic Republic of Congo has described the European Union's continued minerals partnership with Rwanda as demonstrating "evident double standards" while imposing significantly wider restrictions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister's Sharp Rebuke

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's international affairs chief, called for the EU to enact far more severe measures against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the unrest in eastern DRC.

"This shows clear inconsistency – I strive 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 conflict resolution in June, brokered by the US and Qatar, aiming to end the decades-old dispute.

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

UN Report

Last year, a international assessment team stated 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 consistently denied backing M23 and claims its forces act in self-protection.

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 international conference featuring both leaders.

"This necessitates you to order the M23 troops supported by your country to end this intensification, which has already caused numerous casualties," Tshisekedi stated.

EU Sanctions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 persons and two entities – a armed faction and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility dealing in illegal supplies of the metal – for their participation in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of human rights abuses by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has declined calls to suspend a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner labeled the partnership with Rwanda as "lacking all legitimacy in a situation where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been diverting Congolese resources" obtained under harsh circumstances of coerced employment, including children.

The United States and many others have expressed alarm about unauthorized transactions in mineral resources in Congo's eastern region, mined via forced labour, then illegally transported to Rwanda for international trade to support militant factions.

Humanitarian Crisis

The unrest in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's worst human catastrophes, with exceeding 7.8 million people relocated within country in the region and 28 million experiencing food insecurity, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

International Engagement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner approved the agreement with Rwanda at the American administration in June, which also attempts to give the United States expanded opportunity to Congolese natural resources.

She asserted that the US remains participating in the peace process and denied allegations that sole motivation was the DRC's significant natural resources.

European Partnership

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a conference by declaring that the EU wanted "partnerships based on common interests and respect for sovereignty."

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

Wagner acknowledged that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "significant aspects has been overshadowed by the conflict in the troubled region."