First implementation of the Doha accord

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the transfer of 15 prisoners from Congolese authorities to the M23. While the identities of those released remain undisclosed, officials confirm this operation adheres to the prisoner exchange mechanism finalized in Doha in September 2025. The agreement, previously stalled due to persistent disagreements, gained renewed traction following talks held in Switzerland earlier this year.

Transit through Uganda ensures smooth handover

Detainees were moved from Beni—under government control—before transiting through Uganda, which facilitated their transfer to M23-controlled territory. The ICRC ensured all health protocols were strictly followed, particularly critical as eastern DR Congo grapples with an ongoing Ebola outbreak.

Ongoing conflict persists in eastern DR Congo

The M23 has maintained control over vast territories in North Kivu and Ituri for years. Kinshasa continues to allege Rwandan military support for the rebel group, a claim Kigali firmly denies. While this prisoner exchange signals a tentative confidence-building measure, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges in a region plagued by decades of instability.