🔗 Share this article Democratic Republic of Congo Criticizes EU's Rwanda Mining Partnership as ‘Evident Contradiction’ The DRC has labeled the European Union's continued minerals partnership with Rwanda as demonstrating "evident contradiction" while imposing significantly wider sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine. Diplomatic Firm Condemnation Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's top diplomat, urged the EU to impose significantly tougher sanctions against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the conflict in DRC's eastern territories. "This demonstrates clear hypocrisy – I strive to be productive here – that has us wondering and interested about comprehending why the EU again struggles so much to implement measures," she stated. Ceasefire Deal History The DRC and Rwanda signed a ceasefire deal in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, aiming to end the protracted conflict. However, fatal assaults on non-combatants have endured and a deadline to reach a final settlement was not met in August. Expert Assessment Last year, a United Nations panel reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were supporting the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "de facto control of M23 operations." Rwanda has repeatedly rejected supporting M23 and maintains its forces act in self-defence. Leadership Call The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently appealed to his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to stop supporting rebel forces in the DRC during a European gathering including both leaders. "This necessitates you to order the M23 troops backed by your country to stop this escalation, which has already led to enough casualties," Tshisekedi stated. EU Sanctions The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 individuals and two organizations – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner dealing in unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in prolonging the conflict. Despite these findings of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the Brussels administration has resisted demands to suspend a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali. Economic Implications Wagner described the agreement with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a context where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off DRC minerals" extracted under severe situations of forced labour, affecting children. The United States and numerous nations have expressed alarm about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in DRC's east, extracted via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for shipment to benefit armed groups. Human Catastrophe The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's worst emergency situations, with exceeding 7.8 million people relocated within country in affected areas and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN assessments. International Engagement As the DRC's top representative, Wagner approved the accord with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States expanded opportunity to African wealth. She asserted that the US remains involved in the peace process and dismissed allegations that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources. International Collaboration The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a summit by emphasizing that the EU wanted "collaboration based on shared objectives and acknowledging autonomy." She emphasized the Lobito corridor – transportation infrastructure transport links – linking the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access. Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been eclipsed by the crisis in eastern DRC."