Congolese authorities have handed over 15 detainees to the M23 anti-government group, which operates in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC). This action represents a long-anticipated initial step within the ongoing peace process, as confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday.
The statement issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) did not disclose any specific details regarding the identities or roles of the individuals released.
For over three decades, eastern RDC has been a focal point of intense conflict. Since 2021, the M23 rebel group has expanded its control across significant territories within the Nord-Kivu and Ituri provinces in the east and northeast, reportedly receiving backing from Rwanda and its armed forces. In August 2024, Kinshasa had previously sentenced dozens of individuals to death, some in absentia, for their alleged involvement in supporting the M23.
A prisoner exchange framework was initially established in September 2025 by the Congolese government and the M23 in Doha, Qatar. However, its implementation had been stalled until now due to persistent disagreements between the involved parties. Just this past April, both belligerents renewed their commitment to releasing prisoners following discussions held in Switzerland.
The ICRC affirmed that between Thursday and Friday, it actively “facilitated the transportation of 15 individuals liberated by Congolese authorities and their subsequent handover” to the M23. The organization’s communiqué refrained from identifying these individuals but underscored that “this operation was conducted as part of the Doha mechanism signed by the parties in September 2025.”
Furthermore, the ICRC highlighted that “the operation strictly adhered to disease prevention measures” in light of the ongoing Ebola epidemic impacting various regions across eastern RDC.
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