US welcomes parties agreement to end violence in CAR

The US welcomed the decision by all parties to end the violence in the Central African Republic after they signed a “Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.”

A statement from the State Department released Thursday said, “This cessation of hostilities agreement represents an important step toward stopping the bloodshed in the Central African Republic and preparing the way for a peaceful and democratic political transition.” The agreement was signed in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, by representatives of the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka armed groups, as well as by representatives from the Central African Republic’s National Transitional Council, political parties, civil society, and religious communities.

The State Department stressed, “We strongly urge all parties to fully implement the terms of the agreement and to move quickly to hold and conclude further talks, to be held in the Central African Republic, on a political way forward.” The US called on the parties to take steps toward bringing peace and stability along with supporting a broad-based dialogue.