Armed group frees 163 children

UNICEF says an armed militia group in Central African Republic has released 163 children, some of thousands who have been conscripted in jobs such as cooks, messengers, and even combatants. The children were released at a handover ceremony in the northern town of Batangafo. Friday’s handover by the anti-Balaka group raises to 645 the number of children released as part of a deal among 10 armed groups in May to release all children from their ranks.