Rebels in the Central African Republic (CAR) have captured a southern town from government forces, local radio reported Saturday, days before peace talks to end the crisis.
Radio Ndeke Luka said the Seleka rebel alliance had captured Alindao, 500 kilometres east of the capital Bangui, without any resistance and cut off all telephone lines there.
The rebels accuse President Francois Bozize of breaching a past peace deal and want him to step down.
They have been advancing on the capital Bangui since launching an offensive in December, prompting France, the United States and the Economic Community of Central African States to deploy troops in the
country.
According to the Swiss-sponsored radio station, the rebels were planning to launch further attacks.
This comes only days ahead of planned talks between the rebels and the CAR government in neighbouring Gabon, and a day after Uganda announced its readiness to send troops to the embattled country under an African Union mandate.
The United Nations has said it has credible information that government and rebel forces are recruiting children.