The European Parliament called for the immediate suspension of the EU’s protocol agreement on minerals with Rwanda on Thursday, as well as an end to other European aid to the country. On Thursday, a resolution was adopted due to the ongoing violence in eastern Congo, which is supported by Rwanda.
The resolution, adopted in response to Rwanda’s alleged support for ongoing violence in eastern Congo, was backed by 443 votes in favour, with only four against and 48 abstentions.
MEPs urged the European Commission and the Council to suspend the agreement on critical raw materials until Rwanda can prove it has ceased its interference in Congo and stopped exporting minerals from areas controlled by the rebel group M23.
© PHOTO ALEXIS HUGUET / AFP
The resolution, jointly proposed by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, the Greens and The Left, also calls for freezing direct budgetary support and military assistance to the Rwandan armed forces. Additionally, it demands a ban on the supply of weapons to both Rwanda’s military and M23.
The European Parliament further pressed for strengthened EU sanctions against senior M23 officials, leaders of other armed groups and high-ranking Congolese and Rwandan officials whom the United Nations has identified as responsible for serious crimes. As an additional measure, MEPs proposed canceling next year’s Road Cycling World Championships in Kigali if Rwanda does not change its position.
Belgian MEPs react
Several MEPs expressed frustration with Europe’s handling of the crisis. Wouter Beke (CD&V) insisted that Europe must take a firm stance, stating, “Europe can no longer look the other way while Rwanda destabilises the region. We must speak clearly: respect Congo’s sovereignty or lose our support. The EU must use its financial and diplomatic power to not only condemn this crisis, but also to tackle it decisively. Ambiguity is the last thing we can afford now.”
Hilde Vautmans (Open VLD) echoed this sentiment, saying, “The Congolese people have suffered enough. No more words, but action. Europe must put pressure on Kagame and stop tolerating shameless plundering and chaos in Congo.”
Sara Matthieu (Groen) was highly critical of Europe’s reliance on Rwanda for raw materials, arguing that the EU is ignoring Rwandan aggression because it is desperate for minerals to support the green transition. “We are turning a blind eye to Rwandan aggression because we are desperately looking for raw materials for the green transition. But there is nothing green about minerals that have blood on them,” she said.
According to Matthieu, the deal between the EU and Rwanda was indefensible from the beginning and cannot continue while mass violence persists and minerals continue to be smuggled illegally into Rwanda. Marc Botenga (PVDA/The Left) added that, at present, “No one can guarantee today that raw materials imported from Rwanda do not come from Congo.”
EU divided on sanctions
Despite the Parliament’s strong stance, the European Commission stated on Tuesday that suspending the memorandum with Rwanda would be counterproductive. The Commission argued that the agreement was designed to help professionalise Rwanda’s mining sector, improve traceability and strengthen labour rights. However, it did not rule out introducing new targeted sanctions against Rwandan leaders and M23 rebels.
The issue will now be considered at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 24 February. Belgium has been one of the strongest advocates for tougher sanctions against Rwanda in recent weeks, but according to a diplomatic source, the country is receiving little support from other EU member states. Within the European Parliament, some MEPs confirmed that France remains reluctant to impose strict measures against Rwanda, creating further obstacles to the push for sanctions.
Source @Beganews Agency
European Parliament in Brussels © HANS LUCAS COLLECTION
