Travel Warning: Central African Republic

Originally released April 19, 2005, this information is current as of Thursday, June 02, 2005. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country.

This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens that although an American officer is now posted at the U.S. Embassy in Bangui, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Central African Republic (CAR). This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Central African Republic issued October 29, 2004.

In March 2003, rebel forces that had been operating in the countryside outside Bangui took over the capital and seized power from the government of the CAR. The leader of the rebel group declared himself the President of CAR and remains in power. Although the country held peaceful elections in March 2005, the situation remains fluid and U.S. citizens who remain in the CAR despite this Travel Warning are urged to exercise caution at public gatherings. Furthermore, there continue to be reports of armed robberies along roads outside of the capital.

In November 2002, the U.S. Embassy in Bangui suspended operations. In early 2005, limited American staff returned to the Embassy, although dependent minors of American Embassy staff have not been allowed to return. Because there is currently no consular officer posted in Bangui, the Embassy can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens.

U.S. citizens in the CAR are strongly advised to register their presence in the country by using the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. Americans without Internet access, who are already in the CAR, may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bangui. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in the CAR is located at Avenue David Dacko, B.P. 924, Bangui; tel. (236) 61-02-00; fax (236) 61-44-94. For additional information on safety and security in the CAR, contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon at telephone (237) 223-4014, (237) 223-0512, or 223-0581; fax (237) 223-0753. Americans may also obtain updated information from the American Embassy in N'djamena, Chad at telephone (235) 51-70-09, 51-92-33 or 51-90-52; fax (235) 51-56-54.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's most recent Consular Information Sheet for Central African Republic, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are located on the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

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