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The Central African nation has labeled the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as exhibiting "obvious double standards" while implementing far more extensive sanctions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Diplomatic Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's international affairs chief, urged the EU to impose significantly tougher measures against Rwanda, which has been charged with intensifying the unrest in Congo's eastern region.

"This shows clear inconsistency – I strive to be productive here – that leaves us curious and concerned about understanding why the EU continues to hesitate so much to enact sanctions," she emphasized.

Peace Agreement Background

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

However, lethal incidents on ordinary citizens have persisted and a time limit to reach a comprehensive peace agreement was not met 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 "de facto control of M23 operations."

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

Presidential Appeal

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

"This necessitates you to command the M23 troops assisted by your country to end this deterioration, which has already resulted in numerous fatalities," Tshisekedi stated.

International Restrictions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 people and two entities – a militant group and a Rwandan gold refiner dealing in unauthorized sources of the metal – for their involvement in fuelling the conflict.

Despite these findings of human rights abuses by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has rejected requests to cancel a 2024 resource partnership with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner described the agreement with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a environment where it has been verified that Rwanda has been siphoning off DRC minerals" obtained under brutal conditions of coerced employment, involving children.

The United States and various countries have raised concerns about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in DRC's east, obtained via coerced employment, then illegally transported to Rwanda for export to finance rebel organizations.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict in DRC's eastern territories remains one of the world's gravest emergency situations, with more than 7.8 million people forced from homes in the region and 28 million confronting hunger issues, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's chief diplomat, Wagner approved the accord with Rwanda at the American administration in June, which also seeks to give the United States greater access to Congolese natural resources.

She maintained that the US remains participating in the resolution efforts and denied suggestions that sole motivation was the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

European Partnership

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a gathering by declaring that the EU wanted "collaboration based on shared objectives and honoring independence."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – linking the mining regions 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 "significant aspects has been eclipsed by the conflict in eastern DRC."