CEMAC bloc to move HQ back to Central African Republic

Africa's six-nation CEMAC economic bloc plans to move its headquarters back to Central African Republic's capital Bangui this month, it said in a sign of confidence that a weekend peace deal will hold.

Fighting between rival Christian "anti-balaka" militias and mostly Muslim Seleka rebels prompted CEMAC to move from Bangui to Gabon's capital Libreville more than a year ago.

A disarmament agreement signed at the weekend between rival armed groups seeks to draw a line under a two-year conflict that has killed thousands of people.

"Within a month, the government of the commission and essential services will be relocated to Bangui," said Pierre Moussa, president of the CEMAC commission on Tuesday.

CEMAC is made up of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Central African Republic, rich in gold and diamonds, has seen multiple coups and rebellions since independence from France in 1960. A transitional government led by President Catherine Samba-Panza plans to hold elections later this year.