President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) strongly condemned a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the European Union (EU) and Rwanda, accusing the EU of indirectly engaging in warfare against his country.
The MoU, focused on sustainable value chains for raw materials, was denounced by the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula, who claimed it facilitated the exploitation of Congolese natural resources by Rwanda.
Addressing the issue during a press conference, President Tshisekedi criticized the EU for potentially supporting the plundering of his country’s resources and likened it to being an accomplice in theft.
He pledged to utilize diplomatic and legal means to nullify the MoU and prevent what he deemed as an “ignominy.”
The Kinshasa government accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebellion in eastern DRC, alleging that Kigali aims to control the region’s valuable resources, particularly in the mining sector. President Tshisekedi emphasized that Rwanda lacks the specified “critical” minerals in its subsoil, challenging the motivations behind its involvement in the M23 rebellion.
President Tshisekedi expressed dismay at the EU’s apparent endorsement of actions that he perceives as detrimental to his country’s sovereignty.
The president, who secured a second term in December 2020 with over 73% of the votes, urged the EU to reconsider its stance and align its actions with the principles it advocates.
