DR Congo transfers 15 prisoners to M23 rebels in first step of Doha peace deal

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has released 15 prisoners and handed them over to rebels from the AFC/M23 movement, in the first known transfer of detainees under a peace deal signed last year to end fighting in the east of the country.

The handover was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), according to reports from Africa News, Al Jazeera, and RFI — English. The prisoners left the government-held city of Beni in North Kivu province in a convoy on Thursday evening, traveled through Ugandan territory overnight, and were handed over to AFC/M23 authorities in Rutshuru Territory, also in North Kivu, on Friday morning.

Al Jazeera reported that the release was part of a Qatar-mediated peace deal, while RFI noted the transfer was one of the first concrete steps in implementing an agreement signed in 2025. Qatar welcomed the releases, with the Qatari government stating the move represented an important step towards enhancing confidence between the parties and creating favorable conditions for further progress.

Coverage comparison

Africa News described the prisoner exchange as a key step in a fragile peace process, noting the prisoners had been waiting for weeks in Beni ahead of the exchange. The outlet reported that the process had stalled for months, with government sources citing health concerns as one of the main reasons for the delay, and that the group did not include any senior rebel leaders.

Al Jazeera framed the transfer as a confidence-building measure, emphasizing the role of Qatari mediation. The outlet also noted that Rwanda has been accused by the DRC, the United Nations, and Western powers of supporting M23 with troops and weapons, which Rwanda denies.

RFI — English reported that the handover followed months of talks and disagreements over legal procedures, and noted that the two sides had previously agreed on a list of nearly 500 prisoners to be exchanged, with a deadline of 28 April that was not met due to disagreements over legal procedures, verification of detainees' identities, and conditions for simultaneous release.

Key claims

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo authorities released 15 prisoners and handed them over to rebels from the AFC/M23 movement, according to all three outlets.
  • The transfer was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as reported by all three sources.
  • The prisoners traveled through Ugandan territory overnight before being handed over to AFC/M23 authorities in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu province, according to Al Jazeera and RFI — English.
  • The transfer was part of a peace deal signed in 2025 between the government and the rebels, as reported by all three outlets.
  • Qatar mediated the peace deal, according to Al Jazeera.
  • Qatar welcomed the release of detainees, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Rwanda has been accused by the DRC, the United Nations, and Western powers of supporting the M23 with troops and weapons, which Rwanda denies, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • The 15 prisoners transferred did not include any senior rebel leaders, as reported by Africa News.