The Democratic Republic of Congo's government and the Rwandan-backed M23 signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Committee of the Red Cross, or ICRC, providing for the transfer of an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Congolese soldiers held in areas under M23 control, RFI reported on April 15. Under the agreement, the soldiers will be handed over to the ICRC before being transferred to the Congolese government, in a development that comes as the ninth round of Congo-M23 talks opens in Switzerland under Qatari and U.S. co-mediation.

Mediators in Geneva are expected in the coming days to press for improved humanitarian access, including the potential reopening of North and South Kivu provinces' main airports for aid deliveries, according to a diplomatic source cited by RFI. The discussions are also revisiting the implementation gap in previously agreed protocols, particularly those relating to prisoner exchanges and, most notably, the ceasefire, which has yet to be put into effect despite commitments from both sides.