Africa-Press – Rwanda. President Paul Kagame’s Press Secretary, Stéphanie Nyombayire, has called out Belgium’s hypocrisy in accusing Rwanda of mineral exploitation in DR Congo, despite the European country’s colonial exploitation of DR Congo and building its wealth from the conflict-ridden country.
In February 2024, EU and the government of Rwanda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on critical minerals, aimed to create sustainable supply chains for raw materials like tin, tungsten, gold, and tantalum.
However, the Congolese government has called on the EU to suspend the agreement, arguing that Rwanda’s mineral imports are “stolen” from DR Congo – an accusation that Rwanda dismisses. Suspending the agreement is one of the sanctions the Congolese wants imposed on Rwanda, which it accuses of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel movement.
Nyombayire criticized Belgium for seeking to offer solutions to problems it had created in the Great Lakes Region, including fueling ethnic divisions.
Belgium’s accusation, said Nyombayire, should be “a reminder that fake outrage does not erase the facts of history” given that the European country has a fair share of blame in creating the conflicts in DR Congo.
“A country now leading the charge against Rwanda, with accusations of exploiting the very resources on which Belgium’s entire wealth is built. The irony is unmatched.”
“If anyone is to carry part of the blame, it is the nation that was an integral part of creating and fueling ethnic divisions, that continues to harbor and give legitimacy to Genocide perpetrators while Antwerp Diamond District continues to thrive off of DR Congo diamonds,” she added.
Tout ça ne nous rendra pas le Congo…a telling expression from Belgium. A country now leading the charge against Rwanda, with accusations of exploiting the very resources on which Belgium’s ENTIRE wealth is built. The irony is unmatched.
This is a reminder that fake outrage…
Nyombayire pointed out that the question should about who is to benefit from maintaining the status quo in DR Congo.
She said: “one of the richest and largest nation in Africa is perpetually dependent on one of the smallest European nations to solve its problems through diplomatic and economic handouts.”
Members of the European Parliament raised a point to suspend the memorandum of understanding between EU and Rwanda on critical minerals at Africa-EU delegation in Strasbourg to address the risk of regional escalation of the conflict in eastern DR Congo, held On February 14.
However, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Germany Igor Cesar criticized the scrutiny on Rwanda regarding mineral smuggling networks, suggesting that there is a reluctance to hold the real culprits accountable, which ties into the broader issue of conflict and the global economic interests in the DR Congo’s mining industry.
“Rwanda has nothing to gain from an unstable DR Congo. On the contrary, our vision for prosperity is tied to regional stability and economic cooperation.”
Dubravka Suica, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, told the EMPs cautioned against the suspension of the UE-Rwanda partnership.
“Suspension of the MoU could be self-defeating as it would remove the basis for this engagement with Rwanda and undermine the incentive to ensure responsible production and trade of minerals by Rwanda,” Suica said.
For More News And Analysis About Rwanda Follow Africa-Press
