EU Ambassador Highlights Congolese Origin of Rwanda’s Mineral Exports Amid Rising Tensions
“All independent reports show that at least 80 percent of the minerals exported by Rwanda are of Congolese origin,” revealed the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during an interview with Human Rights Watch in Kinshasa.
This statement comes amidst escalating tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, with both sides leveling accusations against each other.
The DRC has long condemned the plundering of its minerals, particularly since the onset of the conflict led by Rwanda under the guise of the M23 rebel group. The capture of the Rubaya mine, rich in coltan and cassiterite, has bolstered the Congolese claims.
There is speculation that Rwanda receives support from certain foreign powers, facilitating its illegal activities in the DRC. The EU diplomat’s remarks highlight the complexities of international agreements.
He noted that while the EU has signed similar agreements with both the DRC and Rwanda, the nature and ambition of these agreements differ significantly.
“The agreements signed between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Congo were much more ambitious, particularly in terms of extraction, processing, value chain, transparency, and traceability,” the diplomat stated.
In contrast, the agreement with Rwanda is a memorandum of understanding without a legal commitment, focusing on traceability and transparency, coinciding with the conflict in the East.
The EU is still preparing a roadmap with Rwanda, which contrasts with the comprehensive project list and commitments in the DRC agreement.
“With Rwanda, we are still preparing the roadmap, unlike the detailed projects in the DRC, which cover the entire value chain,” the ambassador explained.
For years, the DRC has denounced its neighbors’ covetousness for its mineral wealth, a situation fueling ongoing conflict in its eastern regions.
This resource-driven conflict continues to have multiple ramifications for the country, adding layers of complexity to the geopolitical landscape of the region.
