Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world’s least developed nations and is currently experiencing a period of prolonged political instability and lawlessness. In March 2013, the Seleka rebel group overthrew the government in violent clashes with the CAR military and foreign troops. Despite an on-going peace process and election of transitional CAR President Catherine Samba-Panza in January 2014, the security situation remains highly unstable. Armed clashes between Christian and Muslim militias frequently result in bloodshed, and militias have targeted Westerners for attack. Gun fights and looting are on-going and can erupt at any moment. The U.S. Department of State Travel Warning for the Central African Republic strongly warns against all travel to the CAR. Those who choose to remain in the Central African Republic or to visit despite this warning should be aware that the U.S. Embassy in Bangui remains unable to provide assistance or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in the CAR, despite resuming limited operations on September 15, 2014.

U.S. citizens in need of routine consular services should contact the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon by email at YaoundeACS@state.gov.

U.S. citizens in CAR who are in need of emergency assistance should contact the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon; Telephone: 237 2220-1500 ext.4341 / 4023 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. local time).  Emergencies: 237 2220-1500 ext. 4531 or 237 2222-2589; Email: YaoundeACS@state.gov. 

Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on the Central African Republic for additional information on U.S. - CAR relations.