Kinshasa, October 18th, 2026 (CPA).- Belgian members of the European Parliament have called on the European Union to impose sanctions on those responsible for destabilizing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid the security and humanitarian crisis in the eastern part of the country, according to a press release consulted by CPA on Sunday.
“Congolese lives are worth as much as Ukrainian lives. Europe must break its silence,” wrote Elio Di Rupo and Hilde Vautmans, denouncing the different treatment of conflicts and calling for stronger European diplomatic and humanitarian action.
The two lawmakers recalled the scale of the humanitarian disaster, with approximately 18.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, 26.5 million facing acute food insecurity and as many as 6.4 million internally displaced, according to United Nations estimates.
“In the face of such a catastrophe, Europe cannot turn a blind eye,” they stressed, arguing that “European solidarity cannot depend on the geographical location of conflicts or their media visibility.”
Elio Di Rupo and Hilde Vautmans also expressed concern following the announcement by former Congolese President Joseph Kabila of the creation of the Front for the Re-foundation of the Nation (FRN), a politico-military movement that includes the M23. “By aligning himself with the M23 and creating a new politico-military movement, Kabila is taking a further step,” they denounced, warning that this development threatens the stability of the DRC and the Great Lakes region.
Rwanda Urged to Honor the Washington Agreement
The two lawmakers called on Rwanda to honor its commitments under the Washington Agreement, signed on June 27th, 2025, particularly regarding the neutralization of the FDLR, the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and the lifting of defensive measures. “Rwanda cannot separate the neutralization of the FDLR from the withdrawal of its forces from the DRC and the end of its support for the M23,” they stated, advocating independent verification of the implementation of these commitments.
They urged the European Union to impose targeted sanctions on Joseph Kabila, the leaders of his movement and Rwandan officials supporting the M23, while increasing humanitarian assistance to civilian populations.
“In the face of such an escalation, inaction is not an option. Condemnation is not enough, and lamentations are futile!” they insisted. “The Congolese population has suffered for far too long. It is entitled to peace, respect for its country’s sovereignty and concrete security guarantees. Europe must act accordingly,” they concluded. The conflict in eastern DRC has lasted for more than 30 years and has resulted in more than ten million deaths and over five million displaced people. CPA/