UN envoy says armed groups in CAR will start disarming soon

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. envoy for Central African Republic says a half dozen armed groups are participating in a national program and the government will begin disarming some groups in the west by the end of the year.

This was part of an upbeat report Tuesday to the Security Council by Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, who said "a very important" new African peace initiative has been launched to try to bring peace to the impoverished and troubled country.

Central African Republic has seen deadly interreligious and intercommunal fighting since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the capital and mainly Christian anti-Balaka militias fought back.

Onanga-Anyanga says the current situation remains "unpredictable and precarious" but he believes the foundations that have been laid "can help bring about sustainable peace" to the country.