Kinshasa and M23 reach agreement to release prisoners and ease humanitarian access

Sunday 19 April 2026 - 13:30

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the armed group M23 have reached an agreement aimed at improving humanitarian access and releasing prisoners within ten days, according to a joint statement issued after talks held in Switzerland.

Both sides agreed to avoid any actions that could disrupt the delivery of humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas. The statement also confirmed a commitment to release detainees within a ten-day period as part of confidence-building measures intended to support ongoing dialogue.

The deal is seen as a limited but important step in efforts to reduce tensions in eastern Congo, a region that has faced prolonged instability and repeated cycles of violence. Since late 2021, M23 has taken control of significant territories in the resource-rich east of the country, an area that has experienced conflict for more than three decades.

Regional observers continue to stress that sustaining dialogue and implementing agreed measures will be essential to improving the humanitarian situation and reducing hostilities on the ground.