The International Criminal Court has opened a formal investigation ito “endless” instances of war crimes in the Central African Republic.
The conflict between Muslim rebels and Christian militias has seen thousands killed and raped and over a million people displaced.
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said both side had committed atrocities during the turmoil.
"The information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that both the Séléka and the anti-balaka groups have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, rape, forced displacement, persecution, pillaging, attacks against humanitarian missions and the use of children under fifteen in combat. The list of atrocities is endless. I cannot ignore these alleged crimes. The list of atrocities is endless. I cannot ignore these alleged crimes," she said in a statement.
"Let this be a message to would-be perpetrators in CAR and beyond: Such crimes will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law."