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The Democratic Republic of Congo has characterized the European Union's ongoing minerals deal with Rwanda as showing "obvious hypocrisy" while imposing significantly wider penalties in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Government Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, urged the EU to implement significantly tougher measures against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the conflict in eastern DRC.

"This shows obvious inconsistency – I aim to be productive here – that leaves us questioning and concerned about understanding why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to enact sanctions," she declared.

Peace Agreement Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a peace agreement in June, mediated by the America and Qatar, aiming to end the long-standing conflict.

However, deadly attacks on non-combatants have persisted and a target date to reach a comprehensive peace agreement was passed without success in August.

International Findings

Last year, a international assessment team found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "de facto control of M23 operations."

Rwanda has continually refuted supporting M23 and asserts its forces act in self-defence.

Presidential Appeal

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently called upon his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing rebel forces in the DRC during a European gathering including both leaders.

"This demands you to command the M23 troops backed by your country to halt this escalation, which has already led to sufficient casualties," the president declared.

EU Sanctions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 persons and two groups – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner dealing in unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has resisted requests to suspend a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner described the partnership with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been illegally extracting Congolese resources" mined under severe situations of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and various countries have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in precious metals in eastern Congo, mined via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for shipment to support militant factions.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's gravest humanitarian crises, with more than 7.8 million people relocated within country in the region and 28 million experiencing nutritional challenges, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN data.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's principal negotiator, Wagner approved the agreement with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also seeks to give the United States expanded opportunity to Congolese natural resources.

She maintained that the US remains engaged in the resolution efforts and dismissed allegations that primary interest was the DRC's extensive resource deposits.

EU Cooperation

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

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

Wagner acknowledged that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been eclipsed by the crisis in eastern DRC."