Prisoner exchange: Unfulfilled commitment by the Government and AFC-M23

On April 17, 2026 in Montreux, Switzerland, the Congolese government and AFC/M23 committed to a prisoner exchange: 311 people requested by AFC/M23 and 166 detainees linked to the government were to be released with facilitation by the ICRC. Three months later, no exchange has taken place due to difficulties in identifying detention centers, validating lists, judicial constraints, security and health challenges, and above all a lack of political will from both sides.