This information is current as of today,

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

October 29, 2004

This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens of the decision to gradually resume operations at the U.S. Embassy in Bangui. Although the Department of State has approved the return of personnel to the Embassy, there is no official staff in-country. This Travel Warning supersedes that of April 15, 2004.

The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the CAR. There continue to be reports of armed robberies along roads outside of the capital. Americans in CAR are urged to exercise caution and maintain security awareness at all times.

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. Preparations for Presidential elections in January 2005 are underway, and Americans in CAR may expect to encounter large public demonstrations with increasing frequency. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution in public gatherings.

In November 2002, the U.S. Embassy in Bangui suspended operations. The gradual resumption of operations was approved in late October 2004. However, because there is currently no official staff, diplomatic or consular, present in Bangui the ability to provide services to U.S. citizens in the CAR remains extremely limited. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the CAR despite this Travel Warning and need emergency assistance are strongly advised to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or contact the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon to enroll in the warden system to obtain updated information on travel and security in CAR. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon can be reached at telephone (237) 223-4014, (237) 223-0512, fax (237) 223-0753, and 223-0581 (Consular). Americans may also register or obtain updated information from 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.

Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for CAR and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-317-472-2328 from overseas.