drc east conflict escalation and prisoner exchange with m23 rebels
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has transferred 15 prisoners to the M23 rebel group operating in the country’s eastern regions, marking a long-awaited step in the peace process, as confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
- Kinshasa, DRC
The ICRC statement provided no details about the identities or roles of the released prisoners.
Eastern DRC has faced unrelenting violence for over three decades. The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda and its military, has seized large territories in North Kivu and Ituri provinces since 2021. In August 2024, Kinshasa imposed death sentences on dozens of individuals accused of supporting the M23, including some tried in absentia.
In September 2025, DRC authorities and M23 representatives signed a prisoner exchange agreement in Doha, Qatar, but implementation stalled due to unresolved disputes. Following talks in Switzerland in April, both sides recommitted to releasing prisoners.
Between Thursday and Friday, the ICRC facilitated the transfer of 15 individuals freed by Congolese authorities to the M23, as outlined in the agreement. The organization confirmed the operation was conducted under strict Ebola prevention protocols in the affected regions.
An ongoing Ebola outbreak has further strained conditions in eastern DRC, where the conflict has displaced millions.
