Embargo on minerals labelled as originating from Rwanda
4.2.2025
Priority question for written answer P-000489/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Majdouline Sbai (Verts/ALE), Sara Matthieu (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE)
On 19 February 2024, the European Union and Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding on sustainable critical raw materials value chains. The memorandum provides for measures to intercept smuggled minerals entering the country and repatriate them to their country of origin. Thus the EU has implicitly recognised the risk of being supplied, via Rwanda, with ‘blood minerals’ from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, in the light of the serious ongoing attacks, the memorandum’s measures are not sufficient guarantee.
In view of this state of affairs, is the Commission planning to:
- 1.impose an immediate embargo on minerals labelled as of Rwandan origin, with a view to putting pressure on Rwanda to ensure that the M23 Movement and the Rwandan army withdraw from the DRC and to prevent the import of minerals of that kind into the European market;
- 2.suspend, with immediate effect, the memorandum of understanding, the roadmap being drafted with Rwanda and all existing or future strategic projects within the framework of the Critical Raw Materials Act that involve Rwanda;
- 3.make continued cooperation with Rwanda on critical raw materials conditional on Rwanda joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and on the withdrawal of its troops?
Supporters[1]
Submitted: 4.2.2025
- [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: David Cormand (Verts/ALE), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE)