BRUSSELS (Feb. 13, 2025) — Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have called for the immediate suspension of the EU’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains with Rwanda, following ongoing violence and a humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a resolution adopted Thursday, MEPs strongly condemned the occupation of Goma and other eastern DRC territories by M23 rebels and Rwandan forces. The resolution labeled the occupation “an unacceptable breach of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the occupation of Goma and other territories by M23 rebels and the Rwandan defence forces,” the resolution read. “This breach of sovereignty is a direct threat to peace and stability in the region.”
MEPs also denounced indiscriminate attacks, war crimes, and human rights abuses, including unlawful killings, rape, forced labor, and forced recruitment allegedly carried out by M23 forces with the support of Rwanda’s military.
“The use of rape as a weapon of war, the forced labor, and other gross violations of human rights must end immediately,” said MEPs in the resolution. “All parties involved in these crimes, including the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), must be held accountable.”
MEPs have called on Rwanda to withdraw its troops from DRC territory and cease cooperation with M23 rebels. They also demanded immediate investigations into war crimes, including sexual violence, under the principle of command responsibility.
“The ongoing violence in eastern DRC is unacceptable. Rwanda must take responsibility for its actions and ensure accountability for those responsible for these heinous crimes,” said an MEP spokesperson.
Highlighting the critical humanitarian situation in the region, MEPs called for the reopening of Goma airport and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to aid the affected population. They emphasized the urgency of addressing mass killings and the widespread use of rape as a weapon of war.
“We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in eastern DRC. The reopening of Goma airport and the creation of humanitarian corridors is essential to provide aid to those in desperate need,” said the spokesperson.
The resolution expressed disappointment with the EU’s response to the crisis, urging the European Commission and EU member states to suspend the MoU with Rwanda until the country halts its interference in DRC and stops exporting minerals from M23-controlled areas.
“We regret the European Union’s failure to take decisive action,” the resolution stated. “We call on the European Commission and the Council to suspend the MoU with Rwanda, effective immediately, until Rwanda ceases all support for M23.”
MEPs further called for a freeze on direct budget support to Rwanda, the suspension of military and security assistance, and an end to EU aid that could contribute to military abuses in the region.
“We cannot continue providing support to a country that is complicit in such serious human rights violations,” said one MEP.
The resolution also raised concerns about Russian and Chinese influence in the region, noting their growing involvement in the DRC’s mining sector and the broader geopolitical implications.
Parliament voiced support for the peace negotiations underway, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes. MEPs also welcomed the recent peace summit hosted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) in Dar es Salaam.
“We fully support the ongoing peace negotiations and urge all parties, particularly DRC and Rwanda, to engage constructively under these frameworks,” the resolution concluded.
The resolution passed with 443 votes in favour, 4 against, and 48 abstentions.
