Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza appointed the nation’s first Muslim prime minister as part of the efforts to end more than 18 months of sectarian violence, Radio France International reported today.

Mahamat Kamoun, a senior leader of the Muslim Seleka rebel group, took office late Sunday, five days after former prime minister Andre Nzapayeke, a Christian, and his government resigned.

Samba-Panza, also a Christian, requested Nyzapayeke to step down last week to create a more inclusive government, after Seleka and Christian anti-Balaka militia signed a peace agreement in

neighbouring Congo Brazzaville on July 23.

CAR has been in turmoil since Seleka overthrew president Francois Bozize, a Christian, in March 2013.

Thousands of people have been killed and about a million displaced due to the ethno-religious conflict.

About 2,000 French, 6,500 African and 800 European forces are battling to contain the violence in the former French colony.

- dpa