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The Central African nation has labeled the European Union's ongoing minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "obvious double standards" while implementing much broader restrictions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Diplomatic Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's international affairs chief, demanded the EU to impose much stronger measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the unrest in Congo's eastern region.

"This demonstrates obvious double standards – I strive to be constructive here – that has us questioning and inquisitive about understanding why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to implement measures," she declared.

Peace Agreement Context

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a ceasefire deal in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, designed to conclude the long-standing hostilities.

However, lethal incidents on civilians have continued and a deadline to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement was missed in August.

International Findings

Last year, a group of UN experts stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating with the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "actual command of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied assisting M23 and claims its forces act in self-defence.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to cease backing armed groups in the DRC during a Brussels event including both leaders.

"This necessitates you to instruct the M23 troops supported by your country to stop this deterioration, which has already resulted in numerous casualties," the leader emphasized.

EU Sanctions

The EU has placed sanctions on 32 individuals and two groups – a militant group and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility processing contraband materials of the metal – for their participation in fuelling the conflict.

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

Mineral Issues

Wagner described the agreement with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a context where it has been verified that Rwanda has been diverting Congolese resources" obtained under harsh circumstances of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about unauthorized transactions in mineral resources in Congo's eastern region, obtained via forced labour, then smuggled to Rwanda for international trade to benefit militant factions.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with exceeding 7.8 million people relocated within country in affected areas and 28 million experiencing nutritional challenges, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner ratified the agreement with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also seeks to give the United States enhanced entry to DRC minerals.

She asserted that the US remains engaged in the peace process and rejected allegations that main concern was the DRC's extensive resource deposits.

EU Cooperation

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, inaugurated a conference by stating that the EU wanted "partnerships based on mutual benefits and respect for sovereignty."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – connecting the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's western shoreline.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "much has been eclipsed by the crisis in eastern DRC."