Fifteen detainees were transferred from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the M23 rebel group in a move marking the first under the Doha peace agreement. The operation, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), saw the individuals leave Beni in North Kivu province on August 6, 2026, and travel in a convoy. The detainees had consented to the transfer, according to the ICRC statement.
The group crossed into Uganda and spent the night on the road before being handed over to M23 authorities in Rutshuru, in the south of North Kivu, on the morning of August 7. This transfer was part of a broader effort to implement the Doha mechanism, signed by the parties in September 2025. The move is seen as a significant step toward reducing tensions in the region.
The operation highlights the role of international organizations in facilitating peace processes. The transfer was closely monitored and followed strict protocols to ensure the safety and rights of the detainees. The Doha agreement aims to address the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, which has seen years of violence and instability.
The event underscores the complex dynamics of the conflict and the potential for diplomatic efforts to yield tangible results. (eastleighvoice.co.ke)
