The president of the Central African Republic has announced a nightly curfew across the country as his government grapples with an insurgency from armed groups.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra said the curfew would be in place from 20:00 local time to 05:00, but it's unclear how long it will last.

Mr Touadéra won a second term in December in a disputed election.

Fighting has continued in towns nationwide, with the rebels threatening to march on the capital, Bangui.

The government has accused the former President François Bozizé, who was barred from standing in the poll, of staging an attempted coup.

The rebel offensive was halted after Russia and Rwanda sent in hundreds of troops to back the government and the UN peacekeeping force.

Mr Bozizé has denied the allegations but said he supported the rebels.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation, accusing Mr Bozizé of acts of destabilisation and rebellion.