GENEVA, April 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The DR Congo government and the M23 armed 
group agreed to ease humanitarian aid deliveries and release prisoners within 
10 days, according to a joint statement Sunday following talks in 
Switzerland.

"The parties agreed to refrain from any action that would undermine the 
principled delivery of humanitarian assistance within the territories 
impacted by the conflict," and "also agreed within 10 days to release 
prisoners... to continue building confidence", the statement said.

Since 2021, the M23, backed by Rwanda, has seized territory in eastern 
Democratic Republic of Congo, a region ravaged by more than 30 years of 
conflict.