Congolese authorities have executed a significant step in the peace process for the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), transferring 15 prisoners to the anti-government M23 group. This long-anticipated exchange, confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR) on Friday, marks a crucial development amidst ongoing regional instability.

The CICR’s official statement, however, did not disclose specific details regarding the identities or roles of the individuals released.

Eastern RDC has been a hotbed of conflict for over three decades. Since 2021, the M23 has dramatically expanded its control, seizing vast territories across the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, reportedly with direct support from Rwanda and its military forces. The gravity of the situation was underscored in August 2024 when Kinshasa issued death sentences to dozens of individuals, some in absentia, for their alleged affiliations with the M23.

A prisoner exchange mechanism was initially formalized in September 2025 when the Congolese government and the M23 signed an agreement in Doha, Qatar. Despite this accord, its implementation faced persistent delays due to unresolved disagreements between the warring factions. Progress was reignited in April when both parties reiterated their commitment to releasing prisoners following a round of discussions held in Switzerland.

The recent transfer, facilitated by the CICR, saw the organization “transport 15 individuals released by Congolese authorities and deliver them” to the M23 between Thursday and Friday. The CICR confirmed this operation aligned with the framework established by the Doha mechanism signed in September 2025, but again, refrained from identifying the released persons.

Amidst these developments, the region also grapples with an ongoing Ebola epidemic. The CICR emphasized that the entire prisoner transfer operation was conducted with strict adherence to public health protocols to prevent the spread of the disease.