DRC Condemns EU's Rwanda Mining Partnership as ‘Clear Double Standard’

The Democratic Republic of Congo has labeled the European Union's continued minerals deal with Rwanda as showing "evident double standards" while enforcing significantly wider sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Government Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, called for the EU to impose far more severe measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the conflict in DRC's eastern territories.

"This demonstrates obvious hypocrisy – I want to be productive here – that leaves us curious and concerned about comprehending why the EU continues to hesitate so much to implement measures," she stated.

Ceasefire Deal History

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a conflict resolution in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, intending to end the long-standing dispute.

However, lethal incidents on civilians have continued and a target date to reach a final settlement was passed without success in August.

International Findings

Last year, a group of UN experts stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were supporting the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "actual command of M23 operations."

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

Leadership Call

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to stop supporting rebel forces in the DRC during a Brussels event featuring both leaders.

"This necessitates you to order the M23 troops backed by your country to stop this escalation, which has already caused enough deaths," Tshisekedi stated.

European Measures

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 people and two organizations – a rebel organization and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility handling unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these determinations of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has resisted requests to cancel a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Mineral Issues

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a context where it has been verified that Rwanda has been siphoning off DRC minerals" mined under brutal conditions of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and numerous nations have expressed alarm about illicit commerce in precious metals in eastern Congo, extracted via compulsory work, then illegally transported to Rwanda for international trade to finance militant factions.

Human Catastrophe

The conflict in Congo's east remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with more than 7.8 million people internally displaced in the region and 28 million confronting hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner signed the deal with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States greater access to DRC minerals.

She stated that the US remains involved in the peace process and denied claims that primary interest was the DRC's extensive resource deposits.

EU Cooperation

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a conference by stating that the EU wanted "cooperation based on mutual benefits and acknowledging autonomy."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – connecting the mining regions 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 "a great deal has been eclipsed by the situation in eastern DRC."