In response to the fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), High Representative Kaja Kallas has stated that the European Union will reevaluate its recent vital raw materials agreement with Rwanda.
However, EU foreign ministers have made a “political decision” to introduce possible sanctions “depending on the situation on the ground,” meaning the group will not follow the US’s lead in imposing penalties on Rwandan officials.
The statement follows international condemnation of the M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda, taking over DRC territory in the province of North Kivu in late January. They then went on to capture the key city of Goma and extend their offensive into South Kivu.
After a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, Kallas told reporters in Brussels, “We have urged Rwanda to withdraw its troops, and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding critical raw materials will be under review.” She also mentioned the suspension of the EU’s defence and security negotiations with Rwanda.
Kallas stated that the situation is dire and that a regional conflict is imminent. “Both Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have indisputable territorial integrity. The United Nations charter is universally applicable.
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