By Collins Sarkodieh 
A major breakthrough has finally happened in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as government officials released fifteen prisoners to the AFC M23 rebel group.
This milestone handover marks the very first concrete step in implementing the peace agreement signed between both parties.
The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the delicate transfer. The fifteen detainees left the government controlled city of Beni on Thursday evening in a secure convoy.
After traveling through Ugandan territory overnight with full support from local authorities, the team handed them over safely in Rutshuru Territory on Friday morning.
The prisoner exchange follows months of tense negotiations over legal procedures and identity verification.
Back in April 2026 both sides agreed on a list of nearly five hundred detainees. Although that earlier deadline passed without action due to procedural disagreements, this recent move brings fresh hope to long suffering communities.
All fifteen individuals gave full consent before the neutral humanitarian agency moved them across borders.
The operation also strictly followed health guidelines and Ebola prevention protocols to keep everyone safe.
Red Cross officials expressed optimism that this successful handover will ease the emotional pain of separated families.
They hope this peaceful action creates a smooth pathway for future releases and builds lasting trust in the war torn region.
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