On February 24, 2025, the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council announced a review of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda on strategic minerals, signed in February 2024. This decision, communicated by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, is part of broader efforts to pressure Rwanda to respect the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"Consultations on defense issues with Rwanda have been suspended. There is also a political decision to apply sanctions, depending on developments on the ground. We have asked Rwanda to withdraw its troops from DRC territory. Finally, the memorandum of understanding with Rwanda on critical raw materials will be re-examined," said Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission.

The move follows a surge in violence in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels and Rwandan troops have been advancing since January, occupying key cities like Goma and Bukavu. On February 24, Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka reported that the conflict has claimed over 7,000 lives since the start of the year.

Supply Chains Contaminated

The EU-Rwanda MoU aims to “foster sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials”, and secure the EU’s supply of strategic minerals such as coltan, essential for sustainable development and the energy transition. It also highlights both parties’ commitment to promoting responsible mining practices and building local capacity in Rwanda.

However, UN experts have revealed that Rwanda is mixing minerals from M23-controlled areas with its resources, leading to “the largest contamination of mineral supply chains in the Great Lakes region.” The DR Congo government has criticized this partnership, arguing it facilitates Rwanda’s plundering of Congolese resources.

On February 12, 2025, the DRC declared all mining sites in the Masisi and Kalehe territories "red," prohibiting exploitation in coltan and tin ore areas. The measure concerns 38 mining concessions, notably in the Rubaya and Nyabibwe sectors, rich in coltan and cassiterite (tin ore).

According to data gathered by the Ecofin Agency, Rwanda's coltan exports surpassed those of the DRC in 2023, with Rwanda exporting 2,070 tonnes, a 50% increase, compared to the DRC's 1,918 tonnes. 

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho