This information is current as of today,

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

April 15, 2004

This Travel Warning provides updated information on the security situation in the Central African Republic and reflects the continued suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy. This Travel Warning supersedes that of April 7, 2003.

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to the Central African Republic (CAR), and recommends that any Americans remaining in the country depart. On March 15, 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. Though there are peacekeeping forces present in CAR, primarily in the capital city, Bangui, the security situation throughout the country remains unstable.

On November 2, 2002, the U.S. Embassy in Bangui suspended operations. There is no U.S. diplomatic or consular representation in the CAR. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the Central African Republic despite this Travel Warning and need emergency assistance should 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 the CAR is extremely limited.

For further information on travel to the Central African Republic, consult the Department’s latest Consular Information Sheet for the Central African Republic.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, including the Consular Information Sheet for Central African Republic, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.

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