Violences dans l’est de la RDC – Un premier groupe de prisonniers remis au M23 par Kinshasa
Congolese authorities have transferred a group of 15 prisoners to the M23 anti-government faction operating in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This long-anticipated exchange represents a significant initial move within the ongoing peace process, as confirmed by the International Red Cross on Friday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) statement did not disclose any specific details regarding the identities or roles of the individuals who were released.
For over three decades, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by persistent conflict. Since 2021, the M23 group, reportedly backed by Rwanda and its military forces, has seized control of extensive areas within the Nord-Kivu and Ituri provinces in the east. In August 2024, Kinshasa had issued death sentences to dozens of individuals, some in absentia, for their alleged involvement in supporting the M23.
In September 2025, the Congolese government and the M23 had formalized a prisoner exchange agreement in Doha, Qatar. However, this mechanism had remained unexecuted until now due to ongoing disagreements between the involved parties. Earlier, in April, both warring factions had reaffirmed their commitment to releasing prisoners following discussions held in Switzerland.
Between Thursday and Friday, the ICRC confirmed it
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