Sub Saharan Africa

Central African Republic
Still current at: 24 November 2009 Updated: 21 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

We advise against all but essential travel to the Central African Republic (CAR). Although elections were held successfully in May 2005, order has yet to be restored to much of the country outside the capital, Bangui. If you must travel outside Bangui, we recommend that you check first on the current situation in the areas through which you plan to travel.
The north and west of the country, especially the areas bordering Cameroon and Chad, are particularly dangerous and should be avoided. Rebel forces are active in the north east of the country, particularly in the Vakaga province and around the town of Birao; and the area remains volatile. The far south east region has also been subject to periodic attacks. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
There is no British Embassy in the CAR. There is an Honorary Consul, based in Bangui who will be able to assist in emergencies. The nearest British diplomatic mission is the High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon. See the General (British Representation) section of this advice for more details.
There is a low threat from terrorism in the Central African Republic (CAR). You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2008.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Incidents of theft and robbery occur regularly and armed gangs are known to operate in the outlying areas of Bangui. 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.

For more information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Central African Republic (CAR) Country Profile

In May 2005, General Bozize was elected as President, having taken power in a coup in 2003. The elections were widely accepted as representative of the will of the people. Outside Bangui, the situation remains especially unstable and potentially dangerous; armed groups are present in some areas.

In 2008 there were non-violent strikes and demonstrations in Bangui linked to the non-payment of salaries to government workers. You should avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings.

In December 2008 an Inclusive Political Dialogue between the government and rebels and political opposition was held and a measure to form a government of national unity was adopted.

In January 2009 President Bozize formed a new government. Two rebel groups, the APRD [People's Army for Restoration of Democracy] and UFDR [Union of Democratic Forces for Rally] entered into the new government. However clashes between government forces and rebels have continued in 2009.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to the Central African Republic (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 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 active presence of CAR armed forces in the region has not been effective in reducing the number of attacks on civilians and their property.

It is not safe to travel by any of the road routes between CAR and Cameroon. The south west region of Berberati is now prone to frequent attacks by road bandits, who have sometimes taken local people hostage, and burned vehicles.

Rebel forces are active in the north east of the country, particularly the Vakaga province, and the area remains unstable. In March 2008, armed assailants fired on well-marked NGO vehicles travelling in convoy outside Birao, killing one patient.

Since March 2008, there have been credible reports of periodic incursions into South East of CAR by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). There have been reports of LRA raids in Mboki, Obo and surrounding district. The South East corner of CAR is remote and should be avoided.

On 6 & 7 March 2008, rebel forces entered the town of Obo (east Central African Republic [CAR]) and some surrounding villages where they looted properties and took a number of people hostage.

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.

Road Travel

Roads are poorly maintained and most require a four-wheel drive vehicle.

You may find local travel difficult in current circumstances. You should keep a private supply of fuel available if possible and to carry supplies with you if travelling outside Bangui.

You should seek local advice before travelling and we recommend that you do not travel after dark.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

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 - European Commission Transport - Air.

There is a Departure Tax of 10.000 CFA per person when leaving Central African Republic (CAR) in International flights from Bangui airport.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

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 of any photographs which the Central African Republic (CAR) authorities deem as damaging the image of Central African Republic (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.

Satellite telephones should be registered [fee applicable] with the Bangui or regional Agence chargée de la Régulation des Télécommunications (ART) Government Telecommunication offices.

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

For more general advice for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

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

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

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.

Travelling with children

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 Central African Republic in Paris.

Health

Medical facilities are extremely limited and strikes by government workers have affected medical services and hospitals. You should ensure that you are covered for medical evacuation by air ambulance.

Malaria and water-borne diseases to occur in CAR and meningitis outbreaks occur 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.

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Food purchased from local street vendors may not meet adequate hygiene standards. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Central African Republic (CAR) you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 140,000 adults aged 15 or over in Central African Republic (CAR) were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 6.3% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Central African Republic (CAR) and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

British Representation

There is no British Embassy in the CAR. However, there is an Honorary Consul, based in Bangui who will be able to assist in emergencies. His name is Mark Pearson and his contact numbers are:

Cell: +236 75 561 456

Tel: +236 21 618 513

Fax: + 236 21 614 639

E-mail: Mark.LindsayPearson-HonCon@fconet.fco.gov.uk

The nearest British diplomatic mission is the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

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

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