AFC/M23 to Release 230 DRC Soldiers and Former Child Fighters

Goma, February 20, 2026 - The AFC/M23 coalition announced plans to release 230 DRC soldiers captured in Goma last year, along with former Wazalendo fighters and child soldiers, signaling a gesture toward peace and reconciliation.

The announcement was made by AFC/M23 Director-General Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo following talks with EU Commissioner for Conflict Resolution and Humanitarian Aid, Hadja Lahbib, who visited Goma on February 20.

Details of the Release

41 former child soldiers from FARDC and Wazalendo will be released.

About 100 women from FARDC and Wazalendo captured in Rumangabo will also be freed.

230 FARDC soldiers held at the Katindo military camp will be released as a gesture of goodwill.

Nangaa emphasized, “We are not war mongers. We are prioritizing political talks because that is what will bring peace. If the DRC government does not respect them and wants to continue the war, we will defend ourselves as we usually do.”

Background

In April 2025, 1,359 DRC soldiers and police officers who had sought refuge in camps under MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission, were repatriated to Kinshasa after negotiations between the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and AFC/M23.

The release underlines AFC/M23’s focus on dialogue and political solutions as a path to peace, while maintaining the group’s readiness to defend its positions if hostilities persist.