Under the deal, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was designated to locate the prisoners, verify related information, and facilitate their transfer between the two sides.
However, a month later and despite Qatari mediation, no prisoners have been released. Instead, both parties continue to trade accusations of violating the ceasefire in North and South Kivu provinces.
On October 13, 2025, representatives from the DRC Government and AFC/M23 reconvened in Qatar to discuss compliance with the ceasefire and the modalities for the prisoner exchange, ahead of the next phase that is expected to lead to a peace accord.
The ceasefire implementation has since been given structure, with both sides agreeing to establish a joint monitoring mechanism composed of mediators and observers.
But progress on the prisoner issue has stalled. The list of detainees remains incomplete, the locations of some prisoners are unknown, and several cases are still under judicial review. As a result, an exchange cannot yet proceed.
Following agreement on the ceasefire monitoring mechanism on October 14, talks began to address the outstanding challenges surrounding prisoner release. The discussions are expected to last about ten days.
Mediators and observers, including representatives from the United States and the African Union, have intensified pressure for tangible results, especially after the parties failed to meet their initial target of signing a peace agreement by August 2025.
AFC/M23 has submitted a list of prisoners it wants freed by the DRC Government. The list includes its members, such as Eric Nkuba Shebandu, a former adviser to Corneille Nangaa, along with others accused of belonging to the movement.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/afc-m23-and-drc-government-still-at-odds-over-prisoner-release
