DR Congo warlord surrenders to UN peacekeepers

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By CGTN's Jerry Owilli

One of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most notorious warlords Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka on Wednesday surrendered to United Nations peacekeepers, in the country’s North Kivu province, according to the UN mission in Congo.

Sheka has been wanted since 2011 under a national warrant for crimes against humanity, including mass rapes.

The UN mission in Congo – MONUSCO says Sheka turned himself in after six years on the run, and was transferred to the eastern city of Goma.

His militia, Mai-Mai Sheka, is one of the armed groups in eastern Congo regularly accused by the UN and rights groups of using rape as a weapon of war.

Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, has been wanted since 2011 under a national warrant for crimes against humanity, including for mass rapes. /VCG Photo

The eastern Congo has been plagued by a myriad of armed rebels since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Human Rights Watch Central Africa director Ida Sawyer said Sheka’s surrender brings hope for justice and a reprieve from violence.

“Thousands of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been affected by crimes committed by forces under Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka’s command, and many still fear the next attack,” AP reports her to say.

“His surrender today brings hope for justice and a reprieve from the violence. Congolese authorities, with support from the United Nations, should ensure Sheka’s safety in detention and promptly bring him to justice in a fair and credible trial,” she added.

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