350Africa Calls on the EU to Suspend Controversial Minerals Deal with Rwanda Amid Escalating Violence in the DRC
Africa – 350Africa stands in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where escalating violence is exacerbating an already devastating humanitarian crisis. The EU’s minerals deal with Rwanda, signed in February 2024, is fueling this crisis by enabling the continued extraction of minerals from the DRC under exploitative conditions. While the deal is framed as part of the green transition, it is clear that reliance on minerals and fossil fuels to drive this transition is not the solution. Real solutions must support energy justice, enable energy access first to those in dire need and increase social equity instead of perpetuating cycles of violence and environmental destruction for the benefit of multinational corporations.
Guillaume Kalondji, climate activist from Rise Up Congo
“Our resources have been exploited for generations, yet the solutions being put forward continue to harm us. Conflict minerals and fossil fuels are not the answer to the climate crisis. The green transition must be built on clean, renewable energy systems that prioritize the rights of people and protect our environment. We need solutions that empower local communities, not ones that feed into cycles of violence and inequality.”
We call on the European Union to immediately suspend its minerals deal with Rwanda and prioritize agreements that are transparent, equitable, and focused on true sustainability. The path to a just and green future must put people, peace, and the planet at the center, not the continued extraction of resources at the expense of vulnerable communities.
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For interviews and additional information, contact:
350Africa.org
Anna Amar
Email: anna.amar@350.org