Four soldiers have been killed in the south of the Central African Republic (CAR) by Seleka rebels, a military source says.

A CAR military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Tuesday that the troops were killed in Monday’s attack on Bangassou, which lies on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Monday, CAR army officers were unable to confirm any potential fatalities as telephone lines were cut off in the area.

On Tuesday, the military source said that before the attack, troops were sent to a spot a few kilometers from the entrance of Bangassou since the army had been alerted about an impending attack.

The deaths have still not yet been confirmed by an official source.

Also on Tuesday, the government issued a statement condemning the attack and laying blame for it on the Seleka rebels.

"This is by no doubt another action that confirms that the Seleka coalition is trying to occupy national territory at all costs," the statement read.


On Monday, a CAR army officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the Seleka rebels had attacked the towns of Gambo and Bangassou in southern CAR.

On January 11, the CAR president and representatives of the Seleka rebels signed an agreement in Libreville, Gabon after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbors.

Under the deal, some opposition figures and members of the rebels’ coalition were given a number of key posts in the government.

The Seleka rebels launched an offensive against the CAR government in December 2012.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.