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The Democratic Republic of Congo has labeled the European Union's ongoing minerals deal with Rwanda as showing "clear double standards" while enforcing much broader sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congo's top diplomat, called for the EU to enact much stronger sanctions against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the conflict in DRC's eastern territories.

"It represents clear double standards – I strive to be constructive here – that has us wondering and interested about understanding why the EU continues to hesitate so much to implement measures," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement Background

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a peace agreement in June, brokered by the America and Qatar, aiming to end the long-standing hostilities.

However, lethal incidents on non-combatants have continued and a target date to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement was not met in August.

UN Report

Last year, a international assessment team stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 insurgent faction and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has repeatedly rejected backing M23 and maintains its forces act in self-defence.

Presidential Appeal

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing militants in the DRC during a European gathering attended by both leaders.

"This requires you to instruct the M23 troops backed by your country to stop this deterioration, which has already caused numerous casualties," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 persons and two entities – a militant group and a Rwandan precious metals processor processing unauthorized sources of the metal – for their role in fuelling the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the Brussels administration has declined requests to suspend a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner characterized the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a context where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off DRC minerals" extracted under harsh circumstances of coerced employment, involving children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in eastern Congo, extracted via compulsory work, then smuggled to Rwanda for shipment to benefit rebel organizations.

Human Catastrophe

The unrest in eastern DRC remains one of the world's worst human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people forced from homes in the region and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN data.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner ratified the accord with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also attempts to give the United States enhanced entry to Congolese natural resources.

She asserted that the US remains engaged in the diplomatic negotiations and denied suggestions that sole motivation was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

European Partnership

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

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – joining the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been diminished by the crisis in Congo's east."