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The Central African nation has labeled the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as demonstrating "evident contradiction" while enforcing much broader restrictions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Government Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's foreign minister, called for the EU to impose significantly tougher sanctions against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the violence in eastern DRC.

"This shows evident hypocrisy – I strive to be productive here – that has us curious and interested about grasping why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to take action," she declared.

Conflict Resolution Context

The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a ceasefire deal in June, brokered by the US and Qatar, intending to end the long-standing dispute.

However, fatal assaults on non-combatants have endured and a deadline to reach a comprehensive peace agreement was passed without success in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a international assessment team reported 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 continually refuted supporting M23 and asserts its forces act in self-defence.

Diplomatic Request

The DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, recently appealed to his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to end assistance to militants in the DRC during a international conference attended by both leaders.

"This demands you to instruct the M23 troops backed by your country to stop this escalation, which has already resulted in enough deaths," Tshisekedi stated.

International Restrictions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 people and two entities – a armed faction and a Rwandan gold refiner dealing in illegal supplies of the metal – for their involvement in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has declined calls to terminate a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner characterized the memorandum of understanding with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a situation where it has been established that Rwanda has been siphoning off African wealth" mined under severe situations of compulsory work, including children.

The United States and many others have expressed alarm about illicit commerce in precious metals in Congo's eastern region, mined via compulsory work, then trafficked to Rwanda for international trade to support militant factions.

Human Catastrophe

The violence in eastern DRC remains one of the world's most severe emergency situations, with over 7.8 million people forced from homes in affected areas and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at crisis conditions, according to UN reports.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner ratified the deal with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States enhanced entry to DRC minerals.

She maintained that the US remains participating in the resolution efforts and dismissed suggestions that sole motivation was the DRC's significant natural resources.

European Partnership

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a summit by stating that the EU wanted "cooperation based on mutual benefits and respect for sovereignty."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – linking the resource-rich areas of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's ocean access.

Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been overshadowed by the conflict in Congo's east."