Congo militia leader, 100 fighters surrender to authorities

KINSHASA, Congo – The governor of Congo's Haute-Katanga province says a warlord and militia leader who escaped prison has surrendered along with 100 of his fighters.

Governor Jean-Claude Kazembe said Wednesday that Gedeon Kyungu Mutanga and the fighters turned themselves in to authorities in Malambwe, a locality about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Lubumbashi.

He says the surrender is a result of long negotiations to put an end to insecurity in the area. He says they will enter the government's demobilization and rehabilitation program.

A local rights group has said criminal charges should not be dropped against Mutanga, and criticized any amnesty the militia leader might receive for the deal.

Mutanga was arrested in 2005 and sentenced to death. He escaped prison in 2011.