Central African Republic: Factions approve a cease-fire agreement

Representatives of the Muslim and Christian factions battling in the Central African Republic signed a cease-fire agreement on Wednesday in Brazzaville, in the neighboring Republic of Congo. The signing came after heavy pressure from regional mediators and only one day after the Seleka Muslim rebels failed to show up for the second day of talks. It is not clear if the cease-fire will be respected by the fighters on the ground in the Central African Republic. Representing the Seleka rebels was Gen. Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, who parted ways with top Seleka leaders last year. Thousands have died in sectarian violence between the rebels and the Christian anti-Balaka militia in the past 16 months.