Rebels “infiltrated the weekly market at around 10am (09:00 GMT) on Sunday” near Mann, a town about 600km (370 miles) northwest of Bangui, Dieudonne Yougaina, prefect of Ouham-Pende, told the AFP news agency on Tuesday.
“Central African forces intervened … and the exchange of fire left 11 civilians dead, nine men and two women, as well as eight wounded,” he said.
Yougaina blamed elements of the 3R (Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation) rebels. The 3R, which is mainly composed of fighters from the Fulani ethnic group, is one of the most powerful armed groups in the country.
Last December, they joined in the rebel coalition that sought to overthrow President Faustin-Archange Touadera and prevent his re-election.
Touadera declared a unilateral ceasefire in the fight against the rebels on October 15, in order to facilitate the opening of a national dialogue. The main armed groups had said that they would respect the truce.
On November 9, several opposition parties denounced a ceasefire violation by 3R members after an attack on a village in the northwest that left two soldiers and a civilian dead.