KIGALI, Rwanda, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The arrest of Rwandan militia leaders suspected of committing atrocities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is good news, a U.N. envoy says.
The two men, Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni, believed to be top members of the ethnic Hutu rebel Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda, or FDLR, were arrested by German authorities Tuesday, the United Nations said Thursday in a release. They are accused of carrying out crimes against humanity and war crimes in the eastern region of the Congo.
"This is an important development, which we believe will help the people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region move to a more peaceful future," said U.N. Special Representative Alan Doss, who also heads the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Congo.
"I would urge other nations where FDLR leaders are sheltering, to follow Germany's example."
The arrests are in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for members to take action against leaders who are known supporters of FDLR commanders in the Congo's eastern region, the United Nations said.