MONUC was pleased to learn that Ignace Murwanashyaka, leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a political wing of the Ex-FAR and Interahamwe armed groups, involved in the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and, ever since, in harassments and exactions against civilians in northeastern DRC, was detained by German authorities.

The groups pose a serious threat to the security of the Congolese civilian population on whom they regularly commit exactions, as well as on the regional peace and stability.

Though over 13,000 ex-FAR, Interahamwe and other foreign armed groups combatants volunteered to be disarmed, repatriated, and reintegrated to their home country, notably Rwanda, as part of the MONUC DDRRR program, there are approximately 10,000 more foreign combatants, most of whom Rwandan Hutus, whose presence would certainly contribute to instability in the region.

FDLR activities in that part of the DRC led the Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), to name Mr. Ignace Murwanashyaka, "leader of FDLR (one of the armed groups and militias referred to by paragraph 20 of the resolution 1493 (2003)", as one of the persons "exercizing influence over policies, and maintaining command and control over the activities of FDLR forces, involved in trafficiking of arms, violation of the arms embargo".

MONUC transmitted information in its possession, relating to the presence of Ignace Murwanashyaka in the region, to the neighboring countries and indicated the possibility for the latter to pass in transit through one of those countries before reaching his final destination, that is Europe.

It is now German authorities' responsibility to decide the fate of the FDLR leader.

Ignace Murwanashyaka's detention occurred shortly after Thomas Lubanga, leader of the Union of the Congolese Patriots was transferred to the International Criminal Court's custody; the latter being also named by the resolution. This is an additional signal from the International Community and the countries of the sub-region for the end of impunity`.