The Democratic Republic of Congo has transferred its first 15 prisoners to M23 rebels, marking a concrete step in implementing a 2025 peace agreement after months of delay. The Red Cross facilitated the handover, moving detainees through Uganda before handing them over to AFC/M23 authorities. The move follows an April 2026 agreement covering nearly 500 prisoners, which then stalled over disputes on verification and simultaneous release conditions. It is unclear whether the 15 came from the April list. For families separated by the conflict, the handover offers a tangible sign of progress. The government and M23 gain evidence that agreements can produce practical outcomes. Yet continued fighting shows prisoner exchanges cannot substitute for resolving the deeper conflict in eastern Congo. The transfer therefore represents progress, but also highlights how difficult implementation remains.