CAPE TOWN – Catherine Samba-Panza, Central African Republic (CAR) President on Monday in Cape Town appointed the nation’s first Muslim prime minister as part of efforts to end more than 18 months of sectarian violence.
Mahamat Kamoun, a senior leader of the Muslim Seleka rebel group, took office, five days after former Prime Minister Andre Nzapayeke, a Christian, and his government resigned. [eap_ad_1] Samba-Panza, also a Christian, requested Nyzapayeke to step down last week to create a more inclusive government, after Seleka and Christian anti-Balaka militia signed a peace agreement in neighboring Congo Brazzaville on July 23.
CAR has been in turmoil since Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize, a Christian, in March 2013.
Thousands of people have been killed and about a million displaced due to the ethno-religious conflict.
About 2,000 French, 6,500 African and 800 European forces are battling to contain the violence in the former French colony. (dpa/NAN)
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