Doha agreement comes to life in eastern DRC
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed it oversaw the transfer of 15 individuals from Congolese custody to the M23. While the identities of those released remain undisclosed, officials confirm this operation aligns with the prisoner exchange framework established in the Doha agreement signed in September 2025. Months of stalled negotiations were revived during talks held in Switzerland last April.
Uganda serves as transit point for prisoner handover
Detainees departed from Beni, a government-controlled city in North Kivu, before transiting through Uganda. The landlocked nation facilitated the journey to M23-controlled territory. The ICRC emphasized strict adherence to health protocols throughout the operation, as eastern DRC grapples with a severe Ebola outbreak.
M23’s grip tightens in eastern provinces
The M23 has maintained a firm hold over vast territories in eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of providing military backing to the rebel movement, a claim Kigali has consistently denied. While this prisoner release signals a gesture of goodwill between conflicting parties, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges in a region plagued by decades of conflict.