The Democratic Republic of the Congo transferred 15 detainees to the Congo River Alliance/March 23 movement in what officials characterized as a significant step in implementing a peace accord. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the handover, which began on Thursday evening when prisoners departed from the government-controlled eastern city of Beni. The convoy traveled through Uganda before reaching Rutshuru Territory in North Kivu province, where the prisoners were formally transferred to the AFC/M23 on Friday.
The prisoner exchange represented the first implementation of a key provision in the Qatar-mediated agreement, which was signed in September between the Congolese government and the rebel faction. The negotiations to identify and authorize the prisoners for transfer took several months to complete, with the ICRC serving as the mediating party throughout the process. The prisoners themselves agreed to the transfer before departing Beni.
Stephanie Eller, head of ICRC operations in Kinshasa, stated that the organization hopes this transfer will enable additional releases in the coming period. She emphasized the potential impact on families separated from detainees for extended periods. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement characterizing the release as an important confidence-building measure that could facilitate further progress toward sustainable peace in the region.
M23 seized control of regional capitals in both North and South Kivu provinces from the Congolese government in early 2025. The conflict has involved accusations from the DRC, United Nations, and Western nations that neighboring Rwanda provides military support and weapons to M23, claims Rwanda has denied.
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