Brussels 28.02.2025 The European diplomacy is still undecisive towards the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda, in spite of the dramatic degradation of the security situation in North Kivu, DRC. In a resolution adopted by the European parliament Plenary earlier this month MEPs demand to undertake urgent measures by the EU, including targeted sanctions, the freezing of the direct budget support to Rwanda, the immediate suspension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains with Rwanda and to effectively ban the entry of all “blood minerals” into the EU.

“Blood minerals” have remained controversial since the rise of Green revolution. the European Union signed a deal with Rwanda that will ensure a supply of precious minerals needed to build clean tech like solar panels and electric vehicles. As the European Commission described it, after endorsing the Memorandum of Understanding back in February, the deal will “nurture sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials”. However the reality is not so becoming. Over past decade, Rwanda has exported much higher quantities of coltan than its own mines produce: according to Global Witness, 90% of Rwanda’s coltan exports are illegally smuggled from eastern DRC. Yet, despite mounting evidence, the looting of Congolese resources continues.

However, the European External Action Service remains lukewarm vis-à-vis the demands of the MEPs, especially the suspension of the MoU, preferring to continue the monitoring of the situation in North Kivu from afar.

Meanwhile the situation in North Kivu degrades rapidly. The gunfire and explosions have interrupted a rally held by rebel leaders in a city they recently taken under control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The chaotic scenes with lifeless bodies left on the streets after the crowd in panic fled the rally in Bukavu, the second-biggest city in the east.

Casualty figures were not officially communicated, but AFP news agency has quoted a hospital source as saying that at least 11 people have been killed and 60 others are wounded. This was the first rally that the Rwanda-backed rebels from M23 group were holding in Bukavu since capturing the DRC city from government forces earlier this month following a rapid expansion though the region.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused “a foreign army” operating in the east of the country.

The rally had earlier been addressed by Corneille Nangaa, the head of the alliance of rebel groups that includes the Rwanda-backed M23. He promised the crowd that the rebels would bring safety and security to the city.

“There will be special units and patrols that will take place in all the communes,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. It is believed that Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa of M23 had already left when the attack took place at Bukavu’s main square. In a statement, Nangaa said that two people had been apprehended in connection with the attack, and a search was under way for other suspects.

“This cowardly and barbaric act will not go without consequences,” he added.