Central African Republic Achieves Peace Agreement with Armed Groups, Reports Reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) – The Central African Republic has reached a peace agreement with 14 armed groups following negotiations held in Khartoum, as reported by the United Nations on Saturday. This development may lead to a new era of stability in the conflict-ridden nation.

Since 2013, the Central African Republic has experienced significant violence after the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew then-president Francois Bozize, which triggered violent retaliations from predominantly Christian militias. In 2014, U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to the region.

Smaïl Chergui, the African Union’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, announced via social media, “We have finalized a peace agreement in Khartoum, enabling the people of Central African Republic to embark on a path of reconciliation, agreement, and development.”

Details of the agreement have not been disclosed yet.

The conflict has displaced over one million individuals, according to the United Nations, and has shown few signs of resolution. The talks, which began on January 24 with backing from the United Nations and the African Union, aimed to curb the violence that has plagued various provinces and has overwhelmed the already strained national armed forces.

Despite the newly inked deal, peace remains uncertain, as previous agreements made in 2014, 2015, and 2017 have all ultimately collapsed.