The process to relocate army members released by the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 remains stalled in the Democratic Republic of Congo, French radio RFI reports.
On March 8, the group announced the liberation of 5,000 soldiers from the FARDC previously captured during hostilities. The released personnel were reportedly handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for supervision and transfer to Kinshasa.
“As a neutral mediator, the ICRC stands ready to support such an operation with the agreement of all parties,” said François Moreillon, head of the ICRC delegation in the DRC at the time.
However, a month later, the relocation has yet to take place. RFI reports that AFC/M23 has pressed the Congolese government, even accusing Kinshasa of refusing to receive the soldiers. Meanwhile, government sources cite ongoing negotiations complicated by logistical, financial, and security concerns regarding the intentions of the rebel group.
The delay underscores the fragile dynamics of conflict resolution in eastern DRC, where trust deficits and operational challenges continue to impede post-conflict reintegration efforts.
