"EU to review raw materials deal with Rwanda over DRC conflict - top diplomat"

EU foreign ministers did not agree to immediately impose sanctions on Rwanda for its alleged role in the escalating conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The European Union will reconsider its recent critical raw materials agreement with Rwanda in response to conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), High Representative Kaja Kallas has said.

But the bloc will not follow the US's lead in sanctioning on Rwandan officials, with EU foreign ministers rather reaching a “political decision” to introduce potential sanctions “depending on the situation on the ground.”

The announcement comes weeks after the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seized control of DRC territory in the province of North Kivu in late January, before capturing the major city of Goma and expanding their offensive into South Kivu, prompting international condemnation.