Central African Republic Travel Warning

Issued by US Department of State

Feb 17, 2003

This Travel Warning provides updated information on the security situation in the Central African Republic and reflects the suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy. This Travel Warning supersedes that of October 31, 2002.

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) at this time, and recommends that Americans in the country depart. Although fighting in Bangui has ceased, and the situation there has calmed significantly with the introduction of peacekeeping troops, incidents of civil unrest have been reported. Rebel troops hold portions of the north and central regions of the country, with the potential to return to the capital.

The international airport in Bangui is currently open.

Americans can obtain updated information on the security situation by contacting the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747. For those calling from outside the United States, please call 317-472-2328.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the Central African Republic despite this Travel Warning and need emergency assistance may contact the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon at telephone (237) 223-4014, (237)-223-0512, fax (237) 223-0753, and 223-0581 (Consular). Americans may also contact the American Embassy in N'djamena, Chad at telephone (235) 51-70-09, 51-92-33 or 51-90-52 and fax (235) 51-56-54. However, since the United States does not have a diplomatic presence in the Central African Republic, the ability to provide services to U.S. citizens in CAR is limited.