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.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the CAR is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

In Bangui, road conditions vary, and many roads have large holes and degraded areas that prevent the normal flow of traffic. Only a small portion of the roads in the country, including in the capital, are paved, and many of the compacted dirt roads have been degraded. Drivers tend to prefer to drive on the smoothest portion of the road and ignore basic traffic laws, thus slowing the flow of traffic and increasing the risk of collision. The city of Bangui does have a public transportation system consisting of green buses and yellow taxis, though these vehicles are often dangerously overcrowded and very badly maintained.

Due to the risk of armed attacks on motorists in the northern, eastern, and western regions of the country, overland travel in these areas should be avoided. Any driving outside the capital should be only during daylight hours. Most remote areas in the CAR that are frequented by tourists are accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles, although some roads are not passable at all during the rainy season, from May to October.

There are currently no distracted driving laws in effect in the Central African Republic, but police may pull over drivers who talk or text while driving for not following unspecific safe driving procedures.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in the CAR, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of the CAR's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page

Safety and Security

Indiscriminate violence and looting followed the March 2013 overthrow of the Government of the CAR, and the newly elected transitional government has been unable to provide for security in the capital Bangui or elsewhere in the CAR. Armed clashes between Christian and Muslim militias frequently result in bloodshed. In the absence of basic law and order, criminality has sharply risen. United Nations, French, and European Union peacekeepers are present in CAR, the capital has led to several casualties by stray bullets, and easily accessible hand grenades have been used indiscriminately on civilians.  

Spontaneous demonstrations take place in the CAR from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind you that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. You are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution within the vicinity of any demonstrations. You should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Armed rebel groups, bandits, and poachers present real dangers, and the Central African government is unable to guarantee the safety of visitors in most parts of the country.

There have been repeated attacks on Central African and expatriate travelers throughout the CAR over the last 10 years. Armed militias have targeted Westerners for attack, along with individuals who are known to work for foreign missions and international organizations. The continued presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army in eastern CAR poses a safety and security threat. Bandits, militias, and armed group activity throughout the country also threaten the security of residents and travelers. Travel in the interior is strongly discouraged.

Bangui itself, in addition to ongoing insecurity, also suffers from severely limited transport and medical options. Armed actors staff checkpoints throughout the city, frequently harassing local and expatriate travelers for bribes, and impeding the work of peace-keeping forces. The U.S. Department of State advises against all travel to the CAR. Please see the Department of State’s Travel Warning for the CAR for more information.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow us on Twitter, the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and U.S. Embassy Bangui’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before travel to consider your personal security and review the Traveler’s Checklist. 

CRIME: Crime remains a concern in the capital and has increased since the March 2013 overthrow of the government. You should exercise extreme caution while traveling around the city and its immediate environs. Petty theft remains a problem in large market areas, particularly in the crowded markets near KM 5 on the outskirts of the city. Armed gangs may operate in outlying residential areas. During periods of civil unrest and conflict citizens engage in violent, sometimes deadly, demonstrations which include widespread looting, burning of buildings, and blocking of roads. In the interior of the country, there are frequent reports of armed robbery and kidnapping by highway bandits (called “coupeurs de routes” or “zaraguinas”), especially during the December to May dry season. When a crime does occur in Bangui, the victim may have to pay to send a vehicle to pick up police officers due to the shortage of police vehicles and fuel. 

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice has more information on this serious problem. 

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In the CAR, this is the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, or the French Embassy in Bangui. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we can contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Central African Republic is 117, and you can call the Gendarmerie at 2161-2200.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.