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The Central African nation has labeled the European Union's persistent minerals partnership with Rwanda as showing "evident double standards" while imposing far more extensive restrictions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Government Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's foreign minister, demanded the EU to impose much stronger measures against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the violence in eastern DRC.

"This demonstrates clear double standards – I strive to be helpful here – that has us wondering and inquisitive about grasping why the EU continues to hesitate so much to implement measures," she stated.

Ceasefire Deal Background

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a ceasefire deal in June, facilitated by the America and Qatar, intending to conclude the decades-old dispute.

However, lethal incidents on civilians have endured and a deadline to reach a final settlement was missed in August.

UN Report

Last year, a United Nations panel 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 claims its forces act in self-defence.

Diplomatic Request

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

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

International Restrictions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 persons and two organizations – a militant group and a Rwandan precious metals processor processing illegal supplies of the metal – for their role in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these findings of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has resisted requests to suspend a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner characterized the agreement with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a context where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off Congolese resources" obtained under harsh circumstances of forced labour, involving children.

The United States and various countries have raised concerns about illegal trade in gold and tantalum in eastern Congo, obtained via compulsory work, then smuggled to Rwanda for export to benefit militant factions.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's gravest human catastrophes, with exceeding 7.8 million people forced from homes in eastern DRC and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN assessments.

Diplomatic Efforts

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

She asserted that the US remains engaged in the peace process and denied allegations that main concern was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

EU Cooperation

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a gathering by emphasizing that the EU wanted "collaboration based on shared objectives and acknowledging autonomy."

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

Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been overshadowed by the situation in eastern DRC."