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TRAVEL REPORT
Central African Republic

1. RECENT UPDATES

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.

Section 6 has been updated (polio and malaria).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Central African Republic

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the Central African Republic as order has yet to be restored. The country is affected by transborder rebel activity, armed attacks, banditry and kidnappings, especially outside the capital.

The situation is particularly serious along the Sudanese, Chadian and Cameroonian borders, where disgruntled armed mercenaries control most villages. In these regions, instability tends to cause population movement. The border with Sudan is closed.

Heavy seasonal rains have caused flooding in parts of the Central African Republic, particularly in the greater Bangui region. Some casualties have been reported and infrastructure and transportation routes have been damaged. Thousands of people have been displaced. Canadians should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the advice of local authorities.

In December 2008, troops from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan launched a joint military offensive against bases of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in northern DRC. Since the launch of the joint campaign, the LRA has dispersed and retaliated with great violence against the civilian population in villages located in border areas with southern Sudan and Uganda. Many people have been killed and thousands more have fled the region. Ugandan, Congolese and south Sudanese forces, and the UN Mission to the DRC (MONUC), have been increasing their presence and operations in the area. However, further fighting is expected and could affect the border areas with the Central African Republic. Civilians could continue to be targeted by the LRA in reprisal attacks.

Regional Warning: prefecture of Haut Mbomou

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the prefecture of Haut-Mbomou, in southeastern Central African Republic. Incursions into the region by the LRA have escalated, especially between the town of Zemio and the border with Sudan. The security situation is highly volatile and the local population continues to flee the attacks.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Public gatherings and areas where demonstrations may occur should be avoided, as some have turned violent in the past. In general, travellers should avoid moving about the city during times of civil unrest.

Travel outside of Bangui is dangerous. Regional wars have increased access to weapons, and armed attacks occur, often consisting of highway robbery. Overland points of entry are closed to tourists since no security arrangements are provided for foreigners travelling outside the capital. Security is unstable throughout the country. Foreigners are often the targets of armed gangs.

Street crime is common in downtown Bangui. Armed gangs operate in outlying residential areas, and robberies from expatriate residences occur. You should not go to the KM5 market. Victims of crime may have to pay to transport police officers to the scene due to a shortage of police vehicles.

Tourist facilities are not widely available. It is recommended to carry only certified copies of your travel documents.

Exercise caution at all times, ensure your personal belongings are secure, and do not show signs of affluence.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Central African authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Central African Republic and its consulate for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit the Central African Republic. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Central African Republic - BANGUI, Consulate of Canada
Address: Cabinet ARC, Bangui, Central African Republic
Postal Address: P.O. Box 514, Bangui, Central African Republic,
Tel.: 236 21 61 30 39
Fax: 236 21 61 18 39
E-Mail: consulatbangui@yahoo.fr

The High Commission of Canada in Yaoundé, Cameroon has consular responsibility for the Central African Republic. The address is as follows:

Cameroon - YAOUNDÉ, High Commission of Canada
Address: Immeuble STC-TOM, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Postal Address: P.O. Box 572, Yaoundé, Cameroon,
Tel.: 237 2223-2311
Fax: 237 2222-1090
E-Mail: yunde@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/cameroon-cameroun/

For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at (613) 996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that travellers get vaccinated against poliomyelitis (polio). Polio is a contagious disease, spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water, that can attack the nervous system and destroy the nerve cells that activate muscles.

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease. It is caused by a parasite which is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. There is no vaccine available against malaria. Travellers can reduce their risk by following the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendations.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are poor to non-existent outside Bangui and have been affected by strikes. Medicines are scarce and sanitary conditions are poor. Ensure your medical insurance covers medical evacuation by air ambulance. Medical care is generally paid for on the spot and before any treatment.

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is very common and makes swimming unsafe everywhere. Water used for consumption should be primarily boiled or otherwise sterilized.

As the rate of HIV/AIDS infection is high in Central African Republic, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Penalties for drug use or possession are severe and may include a jail sentence.

A licence is required to buy or sell precious gems. Penalties are heavy for those involved in smuggling.

Photography of government buildings or police and military installations is prohibited. These sites may not be clearly marked. Ask permission before taking photographs.

Visitors should carry identity documents (or notarized copies)  at all times, as failure to do so can lead to detention.

Homosexual activity is illegal and penalties include the death sentence.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

All overland travel outside the capital should be done in a convoy of at least two vehicles and during daylight hours.

Although remote areas can normally be accessed with four-wheel-drive vehicles, some roads may be impassable during the rainy season (May to October). In the event of an accident involving injuries, you should go to the nearest police station and contact the Consulate of Canada in Bangui. Police and military may set up roadblocks.

Roads are poor throughout the country, and the only paved roads lead out from Bangui 157 km northwest to Bossembélé, 188 km northeast to Sibut and 107 km southwest to M'Baiiki. Dirt roads can be closed for hours or for days during the wet season. Buses, trucks and minibuses are the normal means of transportation.

Fuel shortages are common. Fuel reserves are recommended when travelling.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

There is no rail network in operation.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the African Financial Community franc (XAF), which is also used in Chad, Congo, Gabon and Equitorial Guinea. The West African CFA franc is not legal tender in the Central African Republic and can neither be used nor exchanged. Credit cards (VISA, the French Carte bleue) and traveller's cheques are accepted only in major hotels in Bangui (Sofitel, Central Hotel and Somba Hotel). It is recommended that traveller's cheques be issued in euros.

The exchange rate for cash is much lower than for traveller's cheques, but the banks that change cheques charge commissions. Bangui and Berbérati are the only cities where you can change money.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The rainy season extends from May to October and the dry season extends from December to April. Some roads may become impassable during the rainy season. The rainy season diminishes progressively to four months (June to September) as you head north. Flash floods are common during the rainy season. The temperature can reach 40°C in the north between February and May, and the humidity can be oppressive.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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