World Bulletin/News Desk

President Catherine Samba-Panza has appointed Mahamat Kamoun as new prime minister of the Central African Republic (CAR), becoming the first Muslim to hold the office.

Kamoun, a presidential advisor and the head of the office of former president Michel Djotodia, succeeded Andre Nzapayeke who stepped down on August 5.

Nzapayeke had submitted his resignation upon request from President Samba-Panza who wanted to form a government more representative of the different segments of society in line with a recently ceasefire agreement between the country's rival militias.

Signed in the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 23, the agreement sought an end to months of sectarian violence between the Muslim Seleka and anti-balaka Christian militias.

Muslims have been complaining of poor representation in the government since Djotodia, a Muslim, stepped down on January 10 and replaced by Samba-Panza, a Christian who formerly served as mayor of the capital Bangui.

Land-locked CAR descended into anarchy last year when Seleka ousted then president Francois Bozize, a Christian who had come to power in a 2003 coup, and installed Djotodia.

Seleka forces retreated northward after Djotodia resigned the presidency under international pressure in January. Tens of thousands of Muslims have since fled Christian anti-balaka attacks in the south, dividing the country along religious and ethnic lines.