A former presidential candidate and opponent of Central African Republic President has fled the country despite a travel ban slapped on him by the authorities.

Abdoul Karim Meckassoua was removed recently as a member of the national assembly after being accused of belonging to a rebel group keen on ousting President Faustin Archange Touadera.

Meckassoua is thought to have fled the capital Bangui, crossing the Oubangi river into the Democratic Republic of Congo and later into Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo's capital.

He has also being charged with complicity in armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and threatening state security.

Meckassoua had been banned from leaving the country by the authorities as part of a probe into his links with the rebel group.