Dozens of Congo's rebels lay down weapons in the east

Congolese Mai-Mai rebels who surrendered their weapons to government officials stand in a formation in Kitchanga, in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Djaaffar Al Katanty

KITSHANGA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Dozens of militia fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have laid down their weapons and surrendered, the first to do so since President Felix Tshisekedi announced martial law to tackle worsening security in two eastern provinces.

Around 140 men from various local armed groups sang and clapped as they handed themselves in to authorities during a ceremony in Congo's North Kivu province on Monday. Around 70 weather-beaten weapons, mostly rifles, were also turned in.