The European Parliament has urged the European Union to freeze direct budget support for Rwanda until it stops backing Tutsi-led M23 rebels and allows humanitarian access to areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The parliament’s resolution, passed in a 443-4 vote, also calls for the suspension of an EU-Rwanda memorandum on strategic minerals.
The move comes as M23 rebels seized Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, last month and have been advancing south, threatening to trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in the area. Rwanda has denied supporting M23, but Kigali’s ambassador to Germany said “Rwanda is not the source of this conflict nor is it responsible for solving it alone.”
The European Parliament condemnation is part of growing international pressure on Rwanda to end its alleged support for M23 rebels. The conflict over Congo’s vast mineral reserves has raised concerns of a regional war, and humanitarian operations have taken a hit since US President Donald Trump imposed a pause on foreign aid.
Congo is the world’s most aid-dependent country, with 70% of humanitarian operations funded by Washington last year. However, Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict remains unclear, despite repeated denials from Kigali. The EU’s response to Rwanda’s alleged actions will be closely watched, as the European Parliament seeks to raise political pressure on the European Commission and member states.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/european-parliament-seeks-freeze-eu-aid-rwanda-over-congo-conflict-2025-02-13