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The Democratic Republic of Congo has characterized the European Union's continued minerals deal with Rwanda as demonstrating "obvious hypocrisy" while enforcing much broader sanctions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Foreign Minister's Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's top diplomat, demanded the EU to impose far more severe restrictions against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the conflict in DRC's eastern territories.

"This demonstrates obvious hypocrisy – I strive to be helpful here – that leaves us wondering and interested about comprehending why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to implement measures," she declared.

Conflict Resolution Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a peace agreement in June, brokered by the United States and Qatar, designed to end the decades-old hostilities.

However, fatal assaults on ordinary citizens have continued and a target date to establish a comprehensive peace agreement was missed in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a United Nations panel found that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 militant organization and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has repeatedly rejected backing M23 and asserts its forces act in self-protection.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to end assistance to armed groups in the DRC during a European gathering featuring both leaders.

"This necessitates you to command the M23 troops supported by your country to halt this escalation, which has already resulted in enough deaths," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 people and two entities – a militant group and a Rwandan gold refiner handling unauthorized sources of the metal – for their role in intensifying the conflict.

Despite these determinations of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has declined demands to terminate a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Mineral Issues

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "lacking all legitimacy in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off African wealth" obtained under harsh circumstances of forced labour, involving children.

The United States and various countries have expressed alarm about illicit commerce in precious metals in eastern Congo, extracted via coerced employment, then trafficked to Rwanda for shipment to support rebel organizations.

Human Catastrophe

The conflict in Congo's east remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with exceeding 7.8 million people internally displaced in affected areas and 28 million facing hunger issues, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN data.

International Engagement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner ratified the accord with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also attempts to give the United States greater access to DRC minerals.

She asserted that the US remains participating in the peace process and dismissed claims that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources.

European Partnership

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, inaugurated a summit by declaring that the EU wanted "cooperation based on shared objectives and acknowledging autonomy."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – connecting the resource-rich areas of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's western shoreline.

Wagner acknowledged that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "much has been eclipsed by the conflict in the troubled region."