JOHANNESBURG — A peace deal has been reached between the Central African Republic government and 14 armed groups after their first-ever direct dialogue aimed at ending years of conflict, the United Nations and African Union announced on Saturday. “This is a great day for Central African Republic and all its people,” said the AU commissioner for peace and security, Smail Chergui. The fighting in Central African Republic has carried the high risk of genocide, the U.N. has warned. In November a Central African Republic militia leader and lawmaker, Alfred Yekatom, made his first ICC appearance, accused of crimes including murder, torture and using child soldiers. On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to extend an arms embargo on Central African Republic for a year but raised the possibility that it could be lifted earlier as the government has long urged.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 02, 2019 16:41 UTC