The European Parliament has called for the suspension of the minerals agreement between the EU and Rwanda, as well as other European aid to the country, due to Rwanda's reported involvement in the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The majority of MEPs (443 out of 720, with four against and 48 abstentions) voted to urge the Commission and the Council to suspend the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on "sustainable value chains for raw materials." The suspension will remain in place until Rwanda provides proof that it has ceased interfering in the DRC.
The MoU was previously condemned by the DRC, which saw it as encouraging further plundering of the region's rich resources, under the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegations and its involvement with M23.
The non-binding parliamentary resolution was submitted by a broad coalition including the PPE, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA, and The Left. It also calls for freezing direct budgetary aid to Rwanda, halting military and security assistance to Rwandan armed forces, and banning the shipment of arms to both the Rwandan forces and M23.
The European Parliament also urged the EU to strengthen sanctions against senior M23 commanders, leaders of other armed groups and high-ranking officials in both the DRC and Rwanda, identified by the UN as responsible or complicit in "grave abuses."
Among other demands, MEPs want the Road World Championships – which are due to be hosted in the Rwandan capital of Kigali this year – to be cancelled if Rwanda does not change its stance.
On Tuesday, the motion was supported by numerous Belgian MEPs. The Commission does not rule out proposing other types of sanctions. This matter falls under the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which meets on 24 February.
Belgium has been advocating tougher measures and sanctions against Rwanda in recent weeks. However, its message has received little support, according to a diplomatic source this week.
In the European Parliament, some have confirmed France's reluctance for the EU to act firmly against Rwanda.
