The United States has turned a war criminal over to Uganda, according to the Associated Press.

A Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commander charged with war crimes in Obo, Central African Republic, was transferred by U.S. Special Forces. The transfer of Dominic Ongwen was confirmed by U.S. Embassy spokesman Daniel Travis, according to AP News.

Travis called the transfer "a major step forward" for the security of East and Central African areas affected by LRA.

Ongwen has been in the custody of U.S. troops since Jan. 6. Lt. Col Ankunda, a spokesman for the Ugandan army, told AP News that the resistance leader will be transferred to Central African Republic authorities who will then turn him over to The Hague, Netherlands. Ongwen faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.