A UN-sponsored court in the Central African Republic says it has issued an arrest warrant for the former president, Francois Bozizé, in connection with alleged crimes against humanity.

The court said the warrant was for atrocities committed by military personnel under Mr Bozizé’s command between 2009 and 2013.

He was overthrown more than a decade ago and lives in exile in Guinea-Bissau, but is the head of the main rebel group fighting in the Central African Republic.

Last year, Mr Bozizé was sentenced in absentia to forced labour for life for conspiracy and rebellion.