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Country Specific Information: Central African Republic

August 7, 2011 Comments off

Country Specific Information: Central African Republic
Soure: U.S. Department of State

August 01, 2011

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world’s least developed nations, and has experienced several periods of political instability since independence from France in 1960. Despite an on-going peace process and the presence of a democratically-elected government in the capital, Bangui, rebels still control large portions of the country’s northern and eastern provinces. In the Dzanga-Sangha National Park in the southwest, facilities for tourists are being developed but remain limited. Read the Department of StateBackground Notes on the Central African Republic for additional information.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangui resumed operations in January 2005, following the evacuation of all U.S. staff in 2002. The Embassy continues to operate with limited staffing, and can provide only basic services to U.S. citizens in the CAR.

State Department Travel Warning: Central African Republic

July 31, 2011 Comments off

State Department Travel Warning: Central African Republic
Source: U.S. Department of State

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Central African Republic (CAR), and recommends against all but essential travel outside the capital, Bangui. Travelers in the CAR should exercise extreme caution. This replaces the Travel Warning of January 14, 2011, to reflect the current security situation and the potential for spontaneous demonstrations.

Armed militia 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 in the countryside. Poachers and armed men also pose a threat to game hunters in northern and eastern CAR. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) poses a similar threat to hunters in eastern CAR.

Bangui suffers from elevated crime rates for both petty and violent crime, as well as particularly limited transport and medical options. CAR military and civilian security forces (and people posing as such) staff checkpoints throughout the city, frequently harassing international residents and visitors for bribes. Spontaneous demonstrations take place in 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 if within the vicinity of any public gatherings. You should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

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