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The Democratic Republic of Congo has labeled the European Union's continued minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "clear double standards" while implementing much broader restrictions in response to the war in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister's Firm Condemnation

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's top diplomat, demanded the EU to enact far more severe restrictions against Rwanda, which has been accused of fueling the violence in DRC's eastern territories.

"This shows obvious double standards – I aim to be helpful here – that has us wondering and concerned about comprehending why the EU continues to hesitate so much to take action," she emphasized.

Ceasefire Deal Background

The DRC and Rwanda signed a peace agreement in June, mediated by the United States and Qatar, aiming to end the decades-old conflict.

However, lethal incidents on non-combatants have continued and a target date to establish a lasting resolution was missed in August.

International Findings

Last year, a United Nations panel stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were supporting the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has consistently denied backing M23 and asserts its forces act in national security.

Presidential Appeal

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

"This demands you to order the M23 troops supported by your country to end this intensification, which has already resulted in numerous casualties," Tshisekedi stated.

EU Sanctions

The EU has enacted measures targeting 32 individuals and two entities – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner handling illegal supplies of the metal – for their involvement in fuelling the conflict.

Despite these conclusions of rights violations by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the EU executive has declined calls to terminate a 2024 mining agreement with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner described the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off Congolese resources" obtained under harsh circumstances of coerced employment, including children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illegal trade in gold and tantalum in DRC's east, mined via compulsory work, then smuggled to Rwanda for international trade to finance rebel organizations.

Human Catastrophe

The conflict in Congo's east remains one of the world's gravest human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people internally displaced in the region and 28 million facing food insecurity, including 4 million at emergency levels, according to UN assessments.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner approved the deal with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States greater access to DRC minerals.

She asserted that the US remains engaged in the peace process and denied suggestions that primary interest was the DRC's significant natural resources.

EU Cooperation

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, opened a summit by emphasizing that the EU wanted "cooperation based on common interests and honoring independence."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – connecting the resource-rich areas of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's western shoreline.

Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a firm groundwork in the Lobito project, but "a great deal has been overshadowed by the situation in the troubled region."