DR Congo Releases 15 Detainees to M23 Movement

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo released 15 detainees on August 6 and 7, transferring them to the Congo River Alliance, also known as the March 23 Movement (M23). The operation followed the Mechanism for the Release of Detained Persons signed in Doha in September 2025 as part of the broader Doha Peace Process.

Facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the detainees were transported from the government-controlled city of Beni through Uganda. They were subsequently delivered to the Alliance in the Rutshuru area of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Government of Qatar, which mediated the process, described the release as an important step toward strengthening confidence and creating conditions for sustainable peace. Qatari officials are currently coordinating with the United States, Togo, and the African Union to implement prisoner exchange protocols and a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. This effort follows a coordination meeting held in Gaborone, Botswana, on July 26 to develop a peace process executive action plan.