The interim President of the Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza has visited a refugee camp outside the country’s capital, Bangui, and vowed to secure the city one neighbourhood at a time.

While she gave words of encouragement to just a small percentage of the tens of thousands of children who have fled sectarian violence in the country, international forces reportedly took charge of the rebel controlled city of Sibut. Just 180 km from Bangui, the strategic centre had been in the hands of the militia alliance, Seleka.

The African-led International Mission known as MISCA, and backed by French forces, entered the city on Friday in an attempt to put an end to the crisis.

Around one million people have fled their homes and more than 1000 lives have been taken in months of violence in the Central African Republic.