Deteriorating situation in eastern Congo

Subject: Deteriorating situation in eastern Congo

According to a recently published report by Human Rights Watch, Rwandan troops and M23 rebels have committed large-scale violence against civilians, including women and children, in eastern Congo, especially in camps for displaced persons. The European Union has pledged EUR 20 million to Rwandan troops through the European Peace Facility, which gives rise to the following questions about the potential impact of our financial aid:

1. How does the Commission intend to ensure that the EUR 20 million provided to Rwandan troops through the European Peace Facility do not further add to the violence in eastern Congo? Are specific mechanisms in place to monitor the use of these funds?

2. What does the Commission intend to do if it is ascertained that these funds do in fact further add to to the conflict or to human rights violations?

Submitted: 1.10.2024

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission (13 November 2024)

The assistance measure for the Rwanda Defence Force deployment in Mozambique is limited to support their response to the situation in Cabo Delgado, following the specific call for assistance from the Mozambican authorities. It is aimed at supporting Mozambique in its efforts to address the security crisis in Cabo Delgado and restore peace and security.

As for any support under the European Peace Facility (1) (EPF), for any country, the assistance measure is underpinned by commitments that the beneficiary needs to take ahead of the provision of the support, which are monitored by the European External Action Service. This entails a set of controls, safeguards, and monitoring measures, as per the legal basis establishing the EPF, designed to ensure the adequate use of the equipment and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

Should there be any credible report of a misuse of the EU’s support, as for any support under the EPF for any country, the EU can either partially or wholly suspend the measure, or completely terminate it. In urgent cases, the High Representative has the capacity to provisionally suspend it until a final decision is taken by the Council.

1 ∙ ⸱ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 establishing a European Peace Facility, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2015/528, OJ L 102, 24.3.2021,

p. 14-62.