The Congolese Army has arrested a leading member of a Rwandan rebel group accused of abuses against civilians in Eastern Congo, an army spokesman said on Monday.
Patrick Sabimana was in charge of the security of Sylvestre Mudacumura, leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Human rights groups accuse the FDLR of killings of civilians and destroying their property in eastern Congo, where dozens of armed groups have remained active since the 1996-2003 Congo wars.
“The Rwandan Hutu rebel group operates mainly in Congo, but also stages occasional attacks in Rwanda.
“Sabimana was arrested on Thursday North of the city of Goma,’’ Army spokesman Guillaume Kaiko Ndjike said.
He declined to comment on whether Sabimana would be tried in Congo or face extradition to Rwanda.
Sabimana was the third leading member of the FDLR to be arrested in 10 months.
Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame pledged to step up cooperation against the group during a meeting last weekend. (dpa/NAN)