Nine months after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 (AFC/M23) coalition agreed to exchange prisoners as a confidence-building measure, the commitment remains unfulfilled.
The prisoner swap was part of efforts to build trust between the two sides during the Doha peace process, with the agreement signed on November 15, 2025.
Under the arrangement, AFC/M23 was expected to release 311 prisoners, while 166 detainees linked to the DRC government were to be freed with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
However, despite repeated commitments from both sides to implement the agreement, no prisoner exchange has taken place so far.
Sources familiar with the process say the delay is partly linked to challenges in verifying the identities of detainees, confirming their locations, and agreeing on the final list of prisoners eligible for release.
Political sensitivities have also complicated the process, with some detainees reportedly considered by Kinshasa authorities to possess sensitive security information or to have played significant roles in national security matters, making their release a difficult issue.
Logistical challenges have further slowed preparations, as transferring prisoners would require secure routes through areas affected by ongoing insecurity, health risks, and, in some cases, neighbouring countries.
Observers of the conflict in eastern DRC, however, argue that the biggest obstacle is a lack of political will from both sides to fully implement the commitments reached during the peace process.
The delay comes amid broader challenges facing the Doha peace framework, as other commitments, including respect for the ceasefire, have also faced implementation difficulties.
The continued setbacks are slowing efforts toward achieving lasting peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict has persisted for years.
