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The DRC has labeled the European Union's continued minerals partnership with Rwanda as showing "clear double standards" while enforcing significantly wider penalties in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Sharp Rebuke

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's top diplomat, demanded the EU to implement far more severe measures against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the unrest in eastern DRC.

"It represents obvious inconsistency – I want to be productive here – that has us questioning and concerned about comprehending why the EU again struggles so much to take action," she declared.

Conflict Resolution Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a conflict resolution in June, mediated by the America and Qatar, aiming to end the protracted hostilities.

However, deadly attacks on civilians have continued and a time limit to establish a comprehensive peace agreement was missed in August.

UN Report

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

Rwanda has consistently denied backing M23 and maintains its forces act in national security.

Leadership Call

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing rebel forces in the DRC during a international conference including both leaders.

"This requires you to order the M23 troops assisted by your country to end this escalation, which has already led to sufficient fatalities," Tshisekedi stated.

International Restrictions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 people and two organizations – a armed faction and a Rwandan precious metals processor processing illegal supplies of the metal – for their participation in fuelling the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of human rights abuses by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has rejected calls to terminate a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner described the memorandum of understanding 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, affecting children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illegal trade in precious metals in DRC's east, mined via coerced employment, then illegally transported to Rwanda for export to benefit rebel organizations.

Regional Emergency

The unrest in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with exceeding 7.8 million people forced from homes in affected areas and 28 million facing hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's principal negotiator, Wagner signed the agreement with Rwanda at the American administration in June, which also aims to give the United States greater access to Congolese natural resources.

She asserted that the US remains involved in the peace process and rejected claims that sole motivation was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

EU Cooperation

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a gathering by stating that the EU wanted "partnerships based on common interests and acknowledging autonomy."

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 recognized that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "much has been eclipsed by the conflict in Congo's east."