The deal was concluded during peace talks held in Switzerland from April 13 to 17, 2026, with support from Qatar and the United States.
Under the agreement, the DRC government is expected to release 311 prisoners linked to AFC/M23, while the rebel group will free 166 individuals held from the government side.
The prisoner exchange is seen as a confidence-building measure aimed at supporting ongoing peace efforts.
Both parties indicated that the list of prisoners to be released was provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, in line with an agreement previously signed on September 14, 2025.
On April 14, 2026, the two sides also agreed to operationalise a revised international mechanism tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, known as EJVM+. This body will include three representatives from each side.
The decision to establish EJVM+ was initially made during earlier peace discussions held in Doha, Qatar, last year. However, its implementation had been delayed due to persistent tensions between the DRC government and AFC/M23.
The mechanism is now expected to begin overseeing the ceasefire within a week. Troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) are also set to support its operations.
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