Traveling Luck for Central African Republic. Central African Republic, Africa

Crime

Incidents of theft and robbery occur regularly and armed gangs are known to operate in the outlying areas of Bangui.  Two World Health Organisation physicians were murdered by unidentified assailants approximately 250km (or three hours drive) from Bangui in April 2006.  Take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places.  We recommend that you avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public.  You should avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns and walking alone at night.

Political Situation

Central African Republic Country Profile.

Following two years of internal conflict, there was a military coup on 15 March 2003, when forces loyal to General Bozize took over the capital Bangui and ousted the incumbent President Patasse.

In May 2005, General Bozize was elected as President, in elections that have been widely accepted as representative of the will of the people.

There have been a number of strikes and demonstrations linked to the non-payment of salaries to government workers.  We recommend that you avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings.

Outside Bangui, the situation remains especially unstable and potentially dangerous.  Order has yet to be restored to much of the country and armed groups are present.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to the CAR.  Although peaceful elections were carried out in May 2005, order has yet to be restored to much of the country outside Bangui following the 2003 coup d’etat.  If you must travel outside Bangui we strongly recommend that you check first on the current situation in the areas through which you plan to travel, with your local contacts, the local authorities and diplomatic missions in country.

The north and west of the country, especially the areas bordering Cameroon and Chad, is particularly dangerous and should be avoided.  Armed gangs have ambushed and attacked villages for the purpose of robbery and kidnap for ransom.  Road convoys have not been exempt from these attacks.  The instability in this region has intensified in the first quarter of 2006 and appears to be spreading further south than in the past; the Mayor of Bossangoa was killed in one of these attacks in mid-March 2006.  It is no longer safe to travel by any of the road routes between CAR and Cameroon even with a military/police escort.  A convoy was attacked near Bouar in north western CAR during the weekend of 16/17 September 2006, and civilian workers and the military escorts killed or seriously wounded.  CAR closed its border with Sudan in April 06.

Rebel forces are currently active in the north east of the country, particularly in the Vakaga province, and the area remains unstable.  The towns of Birao and Ouanda Djalle fell to rebels at the beginning of November 2006.  Both towns were subsequently recovered in military action at the end of November 2006, however the situation remains volatile.  There have also been unconfirmed reports of rebel activity in the neighbouring province of Bamingui-Bangoran, specifically near to the town of Ndele.

You should be aware that the ability of the nearest British High Commission, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to assist you in the event of an incident would be constrained by the remoteness of the region and the lack of communications.

There have previously been petrol shortages throughout CAR since late May 2006 due to a series of strikes by tanker, bus and taxi drivers.  It is advisable to keep a private supply available if possible and to carry supplies with you if travelling outside Bangui.  You may find local travel difficult in current circumstances.  Roads are poorly maintained and most require a four-wheel drive vehicle.  You should seek local advice before travelling and we strongly recommend that you do not travel after dark.

Air Safety

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel:  http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

You should carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport).  Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the police.

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe.

The purchase of diamonds or precious stones is prohibited except through those agents authorised by the Government.  All cultural artefacts are subject to an export tax.

Caution and discretion must be used in the taking of photographs in public places, as permission is often required.  Taking photos of Government property, uniformed Law and Enforcement Officers, Military installations and personnel, may lead to detention, subsequent fines and the impounding of cameras.  The taking ofany photographs which the CAR authorities deem as damaging the imageof CAR(such as street urchins,people with handicaps/deformities) is also not permitted.  The situation is more relaxed outside of the capital, where people are generally open to having their picture taken, but it is always advisable to ask first.  A permit may be obtained for the more serious photographer from the Ministry of Tourism.

Homosexuality is not widely accepted in Central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal.

British nationals need a visa to visit CAR.  To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements, please contact the Embassy of CAR in Paris at 30 rue des Perchamps, 75116 Paris.

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country.  Failure to do so may result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of the CAR in Paris.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.

Medical facilities are extremely limited.  You should ensure that you are covered for medical evacuation by air ambulance.

Malaria is endemic.  Before travelling you should take medical advice on suitable anti-malarial medication, and during your stay in CAR ensure that you take adequate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.

Water-borne diseases are also endemic.  Drinking water should be filtered and boiled or bought in brand bottles with unbroken seals.  Food purchased from local street vendors may not meet adequate hygiene standards.

HIV/AIDS are prevalent.

Meningitis outbreaks are common during the six-month dry season that starts in December, especially in the country's north, which lies within the African meningitis belt stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia.

Strikes by government workers have affected medical services and hospitals.

You are advised to seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information visit the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk, or contact your GP.

If things go wrong when overseas please see: What We Can Do To Help.

There is no British Embassy in the CAR.  However, there is an Acting Honorary Consul who may be able to assist in emergencies.  His name is Mark Pearson and he can be contacted on mobile phone number + 236 05 73 93 or at fax number + 236 61 66 97.  He can also be reached via SMS messages sent to Thuraya tel no 00 8821 650 650 415.  His e-mail is:  markmarkmlp@uuplus.com or markbangui@yahoo.fr.

The nearest British diplomatic mission is the High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon (contact details below).

We encourage visitors staying longer than one month to register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé.

In an emergency, the French Embassy in Bangui may also be able to offer some consular assistance (tel +236 613 000; +236 610 584).