More than 350 child soldiers released in CAR

Armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) freed more than 350 child soldiers Thursday in the largest such release since the country became engulfed in sectarian violence in late 2013, the United Nations children's agency said.

Three separate ceremonies took place near the town of Bambari, as children left the ranks of both Christian and Muslim rebel groups that once united to briefly rule the country.

An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 children are thought to be working as soldiers, sex slaves or hold menial jobs such as cooks and messengers for rival armed groups in the historically unstable former French colony.

Some of the 357 children taken into U.N. custody on Thursday were as young as 12, according to UNICEF Representative Mohamed Malick Fall.

"After two years of heavy fighting, the release of children by these groups – on the same day – is a real step toward peace," Fall said.

The armed groups had agreed to the mass release of children earlier this month in the capital of Bangui. Amid the meetings, rival factions also agreed to lay down their arms, though past attempts at a cease-fire were derailed by infighting.

Social workers will try to reunite children with relatives "when security conditions permit," UNICEF said. Other children will stay with foster families until relatives can be found.

Tens of thousands fled CAR to neighboring countries as Christian armed groups have targeted Muslim civilians accused of supporting the country’s Muslim rebel regime. While the conflict was not religious in nature, it divided communities that had long lived together along sectarian lines.

Even after the mass release Thursday, UNICEF believes there are still more than 6,000 boy soldiers among the fighters. Girls and young women also have been forced into sexual relationships with rebels.

Wire services