DR Congo releases 15 prisoners to M23 rebels as part of Doha peace process

ICRC facilitates first known transfer of detainees between Congolese government and M23 rebels in North Kivu.Published On 7 Aug 20267 Aug 2026The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has released 15 prisoners and handed them over to rebels from ⁠the Congo River Alliance/March 23 movement (AFC/M23) in the east of the country.The release was announced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which facilitated this first known transfer of prisoners under last year’s Qatar-mediated deal to end the fighting in the region.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3DRC, M23 rebels sign framework deal for peacelist 2 of 3Congolese see hopes for peace fade as M23 and army fight on in eastern DRClist 3 of 3DRC, Rwanda agree economic framework outline as part of peace dealend of listThe handover happened on Thursday and Friday after months of talks thrashing out the names of detainees to be freed.An ICRC statement said the 15 prisoners agreed to be transferred before leaving the government-held eastern Congolese city of Beni in a convoy on Thursday evening.The journey continued through Uganda before the convoy arrived in Rutshuru Territory in DRC’s North Kivu province, whe...