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The Democratic Republic of Congo has labeled the European Union's persistent minerals agreement with Rwanda as showing "clear double standards" while imposing significantly wider penalties 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 accused of fueling the unrest in eastern DRC.

"This demonstrates evident hypocrisy – I strive to be productive here – that makes us curious and interested about comprehending why the EU continues to hesitate so much to enact sanctions," she emphasized.

Ceasefire Deal History

The DRC and Rwanda ratified a conflict resolution in June, facilitated by the US and Qatar, aiming to end the protracted conflict.

However, fatal assaults on ordinary citizens have endured and a target date to establish a lasting resolution was not met in August.

UN Report

Last year, a United Nations panel found 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 assisting M23 and maintains its forces act in self-protection.

Leadership Call

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 featuring both leaders.

"This demands you to instruct the M23 troops assisted by your country to halt this escalation, which has already resulted in sufficient deaths," the president declared.

International Restrictions

The EU has imposed restrictions against 32 individuals and two entities – a rebel organization and a Rwandan gold refiner processing contraband materials of the metal – for their involvement in fuelling the conflict.

Despite these determinations of international law breaches by the Rwandan army in the DRC, the European Commission has rejected requests to suspend a 2024 minerals deal with Kigali.

Economic Implications

Wagner labeled the agreement with Rwanda as "completely untrustworthy in a environment where it has been confirmed that Rwanda has been diverting African wealth" mined under brutal conditions of compulsory work, involving children.

The United States and various countries have expressed alarm about illicit commerce in gold and tantalum in eastern Congo, obtained via coerced employment, then smuggled to Rwanda for shipment to benefit militant factions.

Human Catastrophe

The conflict in Congo's east remains one of the world's most severe human catastrophes, with over 7.8 million people internally displaced in affected areas and 28 million confronting food insecurity, including 4 million at critical stages, according to UN reports.

International Engagement

As the DRC's principal negotiator, Wagner approved the agreement with Rwanda at the White House in June, which also attempts to give the United States enhanced entry to DRC minerals.

She asserted that the US remains engaged in the diplomatic negotiations and denied suggestions that main concern was the DRC's significant natural resources.

European Partnership

The Brussels chief, Ursula von der Leyen, inaugurated a gathering by stating that the EU wanted "partnerships based on shared objectives and honoring independence."

She emphasized the Lobito corridor – transportation infrastructure transport links – linking the mineral heartlands of the DRC and Zambia to Angola's Atlantic coast.

Wagner admitted that the EU and DRC had a strong foundation in the Lobito project, but "much has been diminished by the situation in eastern DRC."