By KT Reporter
The planned exchange of prisoners of war between the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government is now uncertain after the implementation deadline expired without progress.
During the ninth round of talks held in Switzerland on April 17, 2026, and facilitated by Qatar and the United States, both parties agreed to carry out a prisoner exchange by April 26, 2026.
Under the agreement, M23/AFC rebels were expected to release 166 detainees, despite earlier indications that they were prepared to free more than 5,000 prisoners of war, while Kinshasa was to release 311 rebels and others accused of collaborating with the movement.
The recent visit by James Swan, the new head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), to Goma City in late April 2026 had raised hopes that the deal would be implemented. However, the deadline has since passed, and there are no clear signs of progress.
The DRC government has yet to issue an official statement explaining the status of the agreement or the reasons behind the delay.
Meanwhile, M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka says the group is working in liaison with the International Committee of the Red Cross to facilitate the release of prisoners, as agreed during the talks, but accuses the Kinshasa government of sabotaging the process.
Kanyuka further alleges that instead of implementing the agreement, the government has continued bombing densely populated areas and M23/AFC positions using kamikaze drones, actions he says violate the ceasefire.
He warned that failure to implement the prisoner exchange could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
The rebel group, which re-emerged in 2022 under the leadership of Bertrand Bisimwa and Major General Sultan Emmanuel Makenga, remains actively engaged in conflict with government forces.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the rebels, an allegation denied by both Kigali and M23/AFC leaders.
M23/AFC maintains that its armed struggle is aimed at addressing corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DRC’s leadership.
In early 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive in eastern Congo, capturing several strategic towns and escalating fears of a wider regional conflict.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
