The United Nations says rival armed groups in Central African Republic have signed a deal to lay down their arms and end a conflict that has killed thousands.
The world body said yesterday that 10 armed groups have agreed to "formally disarm, renounce armed struggle as a means of political demands and enter into a process of Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR)."
The special representative of the UN secretary-general for Central African Republic, General Babacar Gaye, says the signing of the agreement has turned a page for the country.
Central African Republic exploded into sectarian violence in December 2013 after Christian militia fighters attempted to overthrew a government led by Muslim rebels from the country's north.
A transitional government is supposed to be organizing elections for later this year.
