By Andrew Ross
NAIROBI
Two rival armed factions from the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday signed a cease-fire in Kenyan capital Nairobi.
"This is a great day for the Central African Republic and for Africa," Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta told reporters following the signing.
"Rapid and substantial progress has been made towards a political settlement which will restore CAR into the community of peaceful states," he said.
The agreement was signed by the Christian anti-balaka militia and Muslim seleka faction.
CAR descended into anarchy in 2013 when Muslim seleka rebels removed President Francois Bozize, a Christian who had come to power in a 2003 coup.
The rebels later installed Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, as interim president.
Djotodia stepped down early last year to be replaced by a Christian leader amid a wave of sectarian violence.
Since then, the country has been plagued by tit-for-tat violence between Christian anti-balaka militiamen and former seleka fighters.
Kenyatta called on CAR leaders to build on understandings reached in Nairobi between CAR rivals.
"I thank you for the patience, understanding, restraint and commitment you have shown. These are the hallmarks of mature leadership which can usher in progress and happiness for the people of CAR," he said.
"Let the Accords signed here be the testament of your irrevocable pledge to peaceful progresses, let this occasion mark the beginning of a rewarding walk to freedom, peace and happiness for the CAR,” Kenyatta added.
For his part, Kenneth Marende, the former speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, said the cease-fire paves the way for restoring peace in CAR.
"After two months of intense result oriented and strategically focused engagements and negotiations, the parties arrived at an agreement represented by the documents that were initialed on Feb. 22," he said.
"As far as the mediation team is concerned, the three documents if fully implemented will provide a resolution that is sustainable to the Central African Republic conflict," Marende said.
