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The Democratic Republic of Congo has labeled the European Union's ongoing minerals partnership with Rwanda as exhibiting "evident contradiction" while implementing far more extensive sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict.

Government Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the African nation's foreign minister, called for the EU to enact far more severe restrictions against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the conflict in Congo's eastern region.

"This demonstrates obvious double standards – I want to be helpful here – that leaves us curious and inquisitive about understanding why the EU again struggles so much to enact sanctions," she declared.

Peace Agreement Background

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a conflict resolution in June, mediated by the US and Qatar, aiming to resolve the long-standing hostilities.

However, fatal assaults on civilians have endured and a target date to establish a final settlement was not met in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a group of UN experts reported that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23 rebel group and that the Rwandan military was in "effective direction of M23 operations."

Rwanda has repeatedly rejected backing M23 and claims its forces act in national security.

Presidential Appeal

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

"This necessitates you to command the M23 troops assisted by your country to stop this intensification, which has already caused sufficient deaths," the president declared.

EU Sanctions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 individuals and two entities – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner dealing in illegal supplies 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 European Commission has resisted requests to cancel a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner labeled the partnership with Rwanda as "void of any credibility in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been illegally extracting DRC minerals" obtained under harsh circumstances of compulsory work, involving children.

The United States and many others have voiced apprehension about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in eastern Congo, mined via compulsory work, then trafficked to Rwanda for export to finance militant factions.

Regional Emergency

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

Global Involvement

As the DRC's principal negotiator, Wagner ratified the agreement with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also seeks to give the United States enhanced entry to Congolese natural resources.

She asserted that the US remains participating in the resolution efforts and dismissed allegations that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources.

EU Cooperation

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a conference by declaring that the EU wanted "partnerships based on shared objectives and respect for sovereignty."

She highlighted the Lobito corridor – multi-modal transport links – linking the mineral heartlands 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 eclipsed by the conflict in Congo's east."