Rebels in the Central African Republic, defying regional mediation efforts, yesterday seized a new town in their advance on the capital Bangui and repelled a bid by army soldiers to retake a key central city.

The rebels faced no resistance as they entered the town of Sibut some 150 kilometres from Bangui, a military source told AFP.

Also yesterday, officials on both sides said the rebels of the so-called Seleka coalition had repelled army soldiers who were trying to recapture Bambari, a former military stronghold in the landlocked country, one of the world’s poorest despite vast mineral wealth.

A military official described “extremely violent” fighting over the town, with detonations and heavy weapons fire audible to witnesses some 60 km away.

Djouma Narkoya, a Seleka leader, claimed that the army suffered “losses”, while the rebel side had “one killed and three injured” in the fighting.

The rebels, who launched their offensive in early December, now control four main towns, mainly in the north and centre of the country, including the garrison town and key diamond mining hub of Biraosince.

Bangui is in the southwest.

Meanwhile, regional efforts to mediate a peaceful solution in the landlocked equatorial country were at a standstill.