One month after the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 announced the release of 5,000 captured soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), their repatriation remains unresolved, highlighting growing tensions between the parties involved.
Initially, the group stated that the soldiers had been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which was expected to facilitate their safe transfer to Kinshasa. The organization had expressed readiness to act as a neutral intermediary, pending agreement from all sides.
However, the process has since stalled. According to reports by Radio France Internationale, the AFC/M23 has intensified pressure on the Congolese authorities, accusing the government of deliberately refusing to receive its own troops.
Congolese officials, for their part, maintain that discussions are still ongoing. They cite logistical and financial constraints, alongside concerns over the intentions and conditions set by the AFC/M23, as key factors delaying the operation.
The prolonged impasse underscores the fragile dynamics in eastern DRC, where humanitarian efforts remain closely tied to complex political and military considerations.
Source: AfricaNews
