This confidence measure was one of the fundamental elements demanded by the rebels for the implementation of the Declaration of Principles signed on July 19 in Doha, Qatar, and the subsequent signing of a final peace agreement.
Media outlets such as Actualite.CD and Infos27 echoed the announcement made by US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos and the subsequent confirmation by DRC Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa-Atondoko Andali.
Andali stated that it will be a rigorous process in which exclusion criteria will be applied to those who violate international law.
The minister said, “We must be cautious, even within the framework of Doha,” and added that as legal advisors to the State, we will ensure to comply with the conditions for the exchange, in which the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will participate as a neutral intermediary.
He added that the ICRC will be involved in the identification, verification, and safe release of detainees from both sides.
Delegations from the DRC government and the AFC/M23 have been negotiating in Doha for almost a month, where the issue of prisoners has been the most discussed, according to the Congolese press.
jdt/iff/mem/kmg
