European Parliament demands sanctions against Rwanda
The European Parliament has called for the immediate suspension of the EU’s protocol agreement on minerals with Rwanda, as well as an end to other European aid to the country. A resolution was adopted on Thursday 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, with 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.
The resolution, jointly proposed by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, the Greens and The Left, also calls for a freeze on direct budgetary support and military assistance to the Rwandan armed forces, and 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 cancelling 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 of Flemish Christian democrats CD&V insisted that Europe must take a firm stance. "Europe can no longer look the other way while Rwanda destabilises the region," he said.
"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."
"Europe must put pressure on Kagame and stop tolerating shameless plundering and chaos in Congo"
Hilde Vautmans of liberal party Open VLD echoed this sentiment. "The Congolese people have suffered enough," she said. "No more words, but action. Europe must put pressure on Kagame and stop tolerating shameless plundering and chaos in Congo."
Sara Matthieu of green party Groen was 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.
EU divided on sanctions
Despite the Parliament’s strong stance, the European Commission said on Tuesday that suspending the memorandum with Rwanda would be counterproductive.
It 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, creating further obstacles to the push for sanctions.
The European Parliament in Brussels © HANS LUCAS COLLECTION
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