The Democratic Republic of Congo has witnessed a significant development: the transfer of fifteen detainees to the custody of the AFC/M23. This eagerly awaited operation follows a confidential protocol established four months prior near Montreux, involving the AFC/M23 and the International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR). While this agreement ultimately paved the way for the current handover, it’s important to note that an earlier deadline in April had passed without any releases. Consequently, these fifteen individuals represent a critical real-world test for a process that has already encountered several postponements.

The fifteen men had been held in Beni for several weeks before their transfer, their precise circumstances of arrival in the city previously undisclosed. Their detention had extended for many months. The International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR), whose mandate strictly covers transportation and handover once individuals are consolidated at a designated point, had not been involved in their initial custody. The institution’s engagement commences only when the individuals are physically gathered. The exact method by which these fifteen men were transported from Kinshasa to Beni remains unclear, with indications suggesting less than optimal governmental coordination during that phase.