The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group agreed on Friday to release prisoners within 10 days, as well as ensure unimpeded movement of vital humanitarian aid.
The prisoner exchange is one of the resolutions reached at the conclusion of the latest round of talks held since Monday in Switzerland.
The talks, mediated by Qatar, were relocated from Doha due to the Middle East crisis.
“The parties agreed to proceed within 10 days, with the release of prisoners in accordance with the detainee release mechanism signed on September 14, 2025 in order to continue building confidence,” according to a statement at the end of the talks.
Benjamin Mbonimpa, permanent secretary of the M23, told reporters that the prisoner exchange concerns 311 M23 rebels and 166 prisoners on the government side.
Neutral intermediary
The International Committee of the Red Cross will act as a neutral intermediary for the identification, verification and safe release of detainees from both sides.
The parties also agreed to refrain from the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a "historic" peace and economic agreement last December, aimed at putting an end to the fighting in eastern Congo.
The agreement was signed following a pact brokered by US President Donald Trump in June.
But the security situation remains fragile amid intensified fighting between the M23 and government forces, according to sources.
The M23 rebels have been at the center of the conflict in eastern Congo. The group controls significant territory in eastern Congo, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which were seized early in 2025.
