KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, March 11 (UPI) -- The U.N. effort encouraging rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to disarm and leave their militant ranks is showing signs of success.
Alan Doss, special representative of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said the violence in eastern Congo has tempered recently with the help of a program calling on Rwandan rebels fighting in the region to return home, the United Nations reported.
Doss said more than 300 Rwandan rebels are taking part in the voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation program. Doss added that there has been a "slow but steady flow" of members leaving the rebel Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda, known by the acronym FDLR.
"These surrenders, which are being recorded every day, are proof that our message of disarmament and return in dignity is continuing to be heard," Doss said in a statement.
"We encourage other FDLR troops to follow the same path."