DRC Urges EU to Halt Cooperation with Rwanda Over Illegal Mineral Exports
The Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba, has called on the European Union (EU) to immediately suspend all cooperation with Rwanda, particularly concerning the trade of strategic minerals like coltan, which Rwanda allegedly exports illegally to EU member states.
She made this appeal during an extraordinary session of the Africa-European Union Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels on February 5, 2025.
According to Minister Kayikwamba, such action is necessary to prevent the EU from being complicit in the ongoing instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North Kivu and its capital, Goma.
“We demand urgent measures from the European Union to suspend all cooperation with Rwanda—effective immediately. There must be political and military sanctions against those responsible for this crisis.
The export of minerals from Rwanda, including coltan, to the EU must be halted to prevent indirect complicity in funding instability,” she stated.
The DRC government maintains that Rwanda actively supports the M23 rebel group, a stance reinforced by a 2024 United Nations experts’ report recommending sanctions against Kigali.
Minister Kayikwamba urged the EU to take responsibility for its cooperation with Rwanda, accusing the country of fueling rebellion and destabilizing the DRC.
“It is unacceptable for the EU to turn a blind eye to Rwanda’s violations of international law. This conflict is not just Africa’s problem—it concerns global stability.
The EU cannot claim to uphold its values while allowing minerals from a country financing instability in the DRC to enter its markets,” she asserted.
Before addressing the EU parliamentary assembly, Minister Kayikwamba had already raised concerns at the United Nations Security Council, calling for sanctions against Rwanda.
“Rwanda and the M23 continue to violate the ceasefire and obstruct accountability mechanisms. The UN Security Council must remain engaged in supporting the Luanda process and ensuring that all parties honor their commitments,” she told the council.
The DRC’s renewed push for international action underscores the urgency of addressing Rwanda’s alleged role in the ongoing conflict and ensuring that strategic minerals do not contribute to further instability in the region.
