🔗 Share this article Democratic Republic of Congo Criticizes EU's Rwanda Mining Partnership as ‘Obvious Hypocrisy’ The DRC has labeled the European Union's ongoing minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "evident double standards" while imposing far more extensive restrictions in response to the Ukraine conflict. Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's international affairs chief, called for the EU to impose far more severe sanctions against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the violence in DRC's eastern territories. "This shows obvious double standards – I aim to be productive here – that leaves us questioning and interested about grasping why the EU again struggles so much to take action," she declared. Peace Agreement History The DRC and Rwanda signed a ceasefire deal in June, brokered by the America and Qatar, designed to resolve the decades-old dispute. However, fatal assaults on non-combatants have endured and a deadline to establish a comprehensive peace agreement was not met in August. UN Report Last year, a international assessment team reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "actual command of M23 operations." Rwanda has consistently denied assisting M23 and asserts its forces act in national security. Leadership Call The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently appealed to his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing 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 end this escalation, which has already resulted in numerous casualties," the leader emphasized. International Restrictions The EU has placed sanctions on 32 persons and two entities – a armed faction and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility processing illegal supplies of the metal – for their involvement in intensifying the conflict. Despite these findings of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the Brussels administration has declined requests to terminate a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali. Mineral Issues Wagner described the partnership with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a situation where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off Congolese resources" obtained under brutal conditions of coerced employment, including children. The United States and various countries have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in precious metals in DRC's east, obtained via compulsory work, then smuggled to Rwanda for international trade to finance armed groups. Humanitarian Crisis The unrest in Congo's east remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 7.8 million people relocated within country in the region and 28 million experiencing food insecurity, including 4 million at emergency levels, according to UN data. International Engagement As the DRC's top representative, Wagner approved the deal with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also seeks to give the United States expanded opportunity to African wealth. She stated that the US remains engaged in the peace process and dismissed suggestions that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources. International Collaboration The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a conference by stating that the EU wanted "collaboration based on mutual benefits and respect for sovereignty." She emphasized the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – joining the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access. Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "significant aspects has been eclipsed by the situation in Congo's east."