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The Democratic Republic of Congo has labeled the European Union's ongoing minerals deal with Rwanda as showing "evident double standards" while implementing significantly wider restrictions in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

Foreign Minister's Strong Criticism

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's top diplomat, demanded the EU to impose significantly tougher restrictions against Rwanda, which has been alleged to exacerbate the unrest in Congo's eastern region.

"This demonstrates clear double standards – I aim to be productive here – that has us wondering and concerned about understanding why the EU repeatedly finds it difficult so much to take action," she declared.

Peace Agreement History

The DRC and Rwanda signed a conflict resolution in June, brokered by the United States and Qatar, aiming to resolve the protracted dispute.

However, deadly attacks on civilians have persisted and a deadline to reach a comprehensive peace agreement was not met in August.

Expert Assessment

Last year, a United Nations panel reported 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.

Diplomatic Request

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

"This demands you to order the M23 troops assisted by your country to halt this escalation, which has already led to numerous deaths," the president declared.

European Measures

The EU has enacted measures targeting 32 people and two groups – a armed faction and a Rwandan mineral treatment facility processing illegal supplies of the metal – for their role in prolonging the conflict.

Despite these findings of human rights abuses by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has declined requests to terminate a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Resource Concerns

Wagner characterized the agreement with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been siphoning off Congolese resources" extracted under harsh circumstances of coerced employment, affecting children.

The United States and numerous nations have voiced apprehension about illegal trade in precious metals in eastern Congo, extracted via forced labour, then illegally transported to Rwanda for international trade to finance militant factions.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict in Congo's east remains one of the world's worst human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people relocated within country in affected areas and 28 million experiencing food insecurity, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

Global Involvement

As the DRC's top representative, Wagner approved the agreement with Rwanda at the US presidential residence in June, which also aims to give the United States enhanced entry to African wealth.

She asserted that the US remains participating in the peace process and rejected claims that sole motivation was the DRC's significant natural resources.

International Collaboration

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, commenced a summit by emphasizing that the EU wanted "cooperation based on mutual benefits and honoring independence."

She featured the Lobito corridor – rail, road and water transport links – connecting the mining regions of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's Atlantic coast.

Wagner recognized that the EU and DRC had a solid basis in the Lobito project, but "significant aspects has been overshadowed by the crisis in eastern DRC."