Source: European Parliament
The Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains with Rwanda is a key tool to address illicit trafficking and to promote a sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials. The MoU signed with Rwanda[1] is in line with the EU’s renewed Great Lakes Strategy[2].
The MoU has provided a platform to encourage Rwandan authorities to adhere to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative[3]. Its suspension would remove the basis for this engagement with Rwanda on improving transparency and traceability.
The EU is taking measures to ensure full application of the Due Diligence Directive[4] and compliance with the obligations under the Conflict Minerals Regulation[5].
The Conflict Minerals Regulation lays down supply chain due diligence obligations for importers into the EU of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG).
The regulation has a focus on conflict-affected and high-risk areas, but regardless of the geographic location, due diligence should be carried out.
In view of the current situation, all options are up for consideration in the reflection with Member States on how the EU should respond, including on the MoU , as discussed during the Foreign Affairs Council of 24 February 2025[6].
Any measures should be coordinated between the EU, Member States, as well as with multilateral donors.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/58035
- [2] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6631-2023-INIT/en/pdf
- [3] https://eiti.org/
- [4] Directive (EU) 2024/1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on corporate sustainability due diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and Regulation (EU) 2023/2859, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj/eng
- [5] Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/821/oj/eng
- [6] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2025/02/24/