Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeastern Ituri province have released three hostages after more than a month in captivity.

The three were part of an eight-man negotiation team dispatched by President Felix Tshisekedi to hold crucial peace talks with the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) rebel group.

Another hostage was released on March 21 for health reasons. Four still remain in captivity.

The three persons who were released on Tuesday spent over 40 days in captivity, having been detained by the group since February 16.

The rebels reportedly took them into captivity as bargain chips to force the government to release rebel fighters in government detention.

The rebels also demand a cessation of military operations and the lifting of the state of siege imposed in Ituri and North Kivu since last May.​​​​​​​