Reports from the Central Africa Republic say relative calm has returned to the streets of the capital Bangui, following weeks of sectarian violence.
It comes as the new caretaker president warns vigilante groups that the time of pillaging and killing in the country is over.
Santilla Chingaipe has more.
The nation has been gripped by months of sectarian violence which has included reports of cannibalism.
The CAR sank into chaos when rebels from the mostly Muslim Seleka movement launched a coup in March, and installed Michel Djotodia as the country's first Muslim president.
Although Mr Djotodia went on to officially disband the rebels, he was unable to keep them in check.
Instead the rebels continued to kill, rape and pillage, prompting Christians to form vigilante groups, known as anti-Balaka in response and sparking a deadly cycle of revenge attacks.
And after succumbing to international pressure, Michel Djotodia resigned over the weekend, handing over the reigns to Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet.
Speaking shortly after taking over the country's leadership, the interim President issued this warning.
"All of the armed elements, I am warning the anti-Balaka and Seleka that the holiday is over. To the forces of order, I order you to shoot to kill at all those disturbing the public order, so that peace can reign in this country. The break is finished."
And he says the days of lawlessness are over.
"I have launched an operation, called "Bangui without gunfire". There will be a rapid intervention operation put in place, under my command. In case of robbery, this rapid intervention team will be working 24 hours a day, and the number will be given to the population. Whenever there is a robbery, or vandalism, in any neighbourhood, minutes later the perpetrators will be neutralised."
Interim President Nguendet has urged residents to return home, with reports suggesting that calm is returning to the capital, Bangui.
Alexis Kamanzi is with the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Bangui.
He's told Radio France International the return of soldiers and police to duty is seen as another encouraging sign for the Central African Republic.
"I saw a bunch of people, many people, going to report to their headquarters. They weren't in uniform, they looked like civilians, but I got to know that they're actually the unarmed police and army. So I think the process is going on and I'm sure that something will come up. They're counting to see who is present, who is not. This is a process that is starting. I've been here for a month now and I see that people are really hungry for peace. They are hungry to get back to their work. But I feel really confident, but of course this has to be done at the same time with some kind of political will at the grassroots and even the religious leaders who have influence on the population."
President Nguendet has been charged with finding a new transitional president within two weeks.
The United Nations says the polls will be supported by the international community.
UN Special Representative, Babacar Gaye, says a speedy election is crucial.
"The profile of the new head of state of the transition could help restore hope. And my hope is that the nomination of the Prime Minister and of the government will force this hope. The international community will then have to accompany this new team on the road to free credible and democratic elections."
Joy over Michel Djotodia's departure gave way to violence over the weekend, with sporadic attacks, particularly at night, on Muslim-owned shops and businesses.
The Red Cross says at least 127 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded as a result of the celebrations.
It says a new outbreak of sectarian violence has hit the northwest of the country, leaving scores dead and more than 900 houses burnt down.
According to the UN, 1,000 people were killed in December alone, and more than four and a half million people have been displaced since the conflict began over a year ago.
Violence has plagued the country, despite a French military intervention and the presence of an African peacekeeping force, MISCA.
France has deployed 1,600 troops in the country to support MISCA, which is meant to have up to 6,000 troops but has not yet reached 3,500.
