Diplomatic sources say the bloc is facing calls to suspend its wide-ranging minerals agreement with Rwanda amid fears it is inflaming the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo DRC has prompted calls on Brussels to review an agreement with the Rwandan government intended to secure the supply of critical materials used in smartphones and electric cars.
The deal, signed in February last year, was hailed by Brussels as a key step in securing the supply of highly-sought materials needed to power the so-called green and digital transition, but criticised for turning a blind eye to the illicit trade of minerals that are plundered by Rwandan-backed rebels in the DRC, as documented by the United Nations UN.
In recent days, the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have consolidated control of parts of the city of Goma in the mineral-rich North Kivu province in eastern DRC and are reportedly advancing into the South Kivu province, a major escalation considered a violation of international law.
The incursion has focused on areas dense with mines for extracting gold, coltan, tin, tantalum and other critical materials and rare earths.
Congolese and UN officials have long accused Rwanda of using M23 rebels to seize mines and smuggle minerals out of eastern DRC and into their own supply chains. Funds from smuggled minerals are suspected to help finance the armed groups responsible for the spiralling conflict, with devastating humanitarian consequences for civilians in the eastern DRC.
