Nearly 70 people have been killed in clashes between troops of the new government in the Central African Republic (CAR) and fighters claiming loyalty to toppled president, Francois Bozizé.

The clashes took place on Sunday on the northern edge of the town of Bossangoa, where up to 73 people lost their lives, "including two local workers of the humanitarian NGO ACTED … by Seleka fighters," a military source said.

Bossangoa in the northwest is the main town of the Ouham district where General Bozize was born.

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

However, the deal fell through and Michel Djotodia, leading thousands of Seleka rebels, captured Bangui and proclaimed himself president after seizing power from Bozizé on March 24.

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

On Saturday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern over the humanitarian conditions in the African country after finding evidence of widespread human rights abuses.

The report said thousands of people had been displaced and at least eight villages razed to the ground during recent violence in the northern CAR, which has long been lawless territory outside the towns.

Despite the presence of a regional military peacekeeping force in the capital Bangui, the security situation has been chaotic across the CAR since Djotodia’s power grab.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, 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.