EU Parliament Urges Suspension of EU-Rwanda Raw Materials Deal Amid DRC Conflict Concerns

The European Parliament, on February 13 in Strasbourg, France, called for the immediate suspension of the EU-Rwanda Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable raw materials value chains. The resolution demands this suspension until Rwanda ceases interference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the export of minerals from M23 rebel-controlled areas. MEPs also requested EU member states and international financial institutions to freeze direct budget support to Rwanda until humanitarian access is granted to the crisis zone and all ties with the M23 are severed. The Parliament further urged the cessation of EU military and security assistance to Rwandan armed forces. Despite these concerns, the Parliament welcomed the SADC-EAC summit for peace in the DRC and expressed support for the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. They also condemned attacks on UN-mandated forces as potential war crimes and expressed concern over the humanitarian situation, demanding the reopening of Goma airport and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.