{{Central African Republic’s interim president appealed on Monday to Muslim Seleka rebels and ‘anti-balaka’ Christian militia to agree on a ceasefire at the start of talks in the neighbouring Congo Republic.}}<\/p>\n
The three-day forum in Brazzaville, mediated by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, aims to reach terms for a halt to hostilities and disarmament but will not address negotiations for a longer-term peace deal in the former French colony.<\/p>\n
“This forum which opens today is a major step in the political dialogue and reconciliation between the sons and daughters of Central African Republic,” Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza said at the opening of the talks.<\/p>\n
Samba-Panza, whose government will steer the country to elections next year, said the forum would pave the way towards further difficult steps in securing peace, such as inter-community talks at a grassroots level.<\/p>\n
“It is time to lay down arms,” Samba-Panza said.<\/p>\n
She appealed to all parties to embark on the path of a peaceful and political solution.<\/p>\n
The talks bring together some 169 delegates from the transitional government, civil society and armed groups.<\/p>\n
Thousands have been killed and more than a million forced from their homes by sectarian violence which erupted after mostly Muslim Seleka fighters seized power in the majority Christian country in March 2013. <\/p>\n
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