The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government plans to release 15 people who are on a list of individuals requested by the AFC/M23 alliance, excluding those who have been sentenced to death.
These individuals were transferred from prisons in Kinshasa to the city of Beni in North Kivu Province. They have been waiting for more than a month to be handed over to AFC/M23.
Under the agreement signed in Doha, Qatar, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is responsible for transporting prisoners of war belonging to both AFC/M23 and the DRC government.
Regarding the AFC/M23 members transferred from Kinshasa, the ICRC was not responsible for their transfer from the capital. However, it plans to transport them from Beni to areas controlled by the alliance.
The DRC government acknowledges that it sent these individuals to Beni, explaining that their transfer to areas controlled by AFC/M23 was delayed for health-related reasons.
Government-controlled areas in North Kivu Province have been affected by an outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola, prompting AFC/M23 to strengthen security measures.
