smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Central African Republic
| Central African Republic overall | This Advice is current for Tuesday, 07 September 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Bangui | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (Phased withdrawal of UN peacekeepers), Money and Valuables (African Financial Community franc) and Where to Get Help (Consular services available from the Australian Embassy, Paris). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We strongly advise you not to travel to the Central African Republic at this time, with the exception of the capital Bangui, due to the activities of armed rebel groups, poachers, rogue security and military forces, and high levels of serious crime and lawlessness. Following a military coup against the government in 2003, the security situation remains dangerous. Rebel groups are active in the west, southeast, north and northeast of the country and many areas outside the capital are lawless. Foreigners, including aid workers, have been killed. If you are in the Central African Republic, you should consider leaving unless you have compelling reasons to stay.
There is a United Nations peacekeeping mission deployed in north-eastern region of Central African Republic and in eastern Chad (MINURCAT). In May 2010 the United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of MINURCAT until the end of 2010 to allow for its phased drawdown. The Resolution provides that all military and civilian personnel are to be withdrawn from Central African Republic by 31 December 2010. The Resolution also provides that MINURCAT no longer has responsibility for the protection of civilians, although it can respond to imminent threats of violence against civilians in the immediate vicinity of MINURCAT peacekeepers.
The security situation is particularly dangerous in the border areas with Chad, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. Violence has intensified in the northern provinces of Bamingui-Bangoran and Vakaga. In November 2009, heavy fighting broke out in Bamingui-Bangoran between rebel groups and government forces, and two French aid workers were abducted in Vakaga province.
The Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has made recent incursions in the southeast of the Central African Republic, especially Haut-Mbomou province. Elements of the Ugandan defence force are undertaking military operations in Central African Republic against the LRA. Thousands of people have been displaced by fighting. In September 2009, a truck carrying aid workers was attacked in Haut-Mbomou province, and some of the passengers were killed.
Bangui: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the capital Bangui at this time due to the tense and unstable security situation. Skirmishes between government forces and opposition groups have occurred in the capital. Tensions are high due to the Government's inability to pay its civil servants. If you do decide to travel to Bangui, you should exercise extreme caution.
You should avoid all large gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
Banditry and crime are common throughout the Central African Republic, especially in the northern and eastern regions of the country. Theft and robbery occur regularly in Bangui and armed gangs operate in the outlying residential areas of the city. Criminal gangs and rogue security forces set up roadblocks attempting to rob travellers.
Tourist facilities are not widely available in Central African Republic.
Road travel is dangerous because of the presence of armed groups and bandits and illegal road blocks. Convoys have been attacked resulting in deaths of civilians and military personnel.
Roads in Central African Republic are in a poor condition and have insufficient lighting making driving dangerous, especially at night. Most roads require a four-wheel drive vehicle. Fuel shortages are common. For further advice on road safety, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
The rainy season is May to October when flooding may occur and some roads become impassable.
Borders may be closed without warning due to the presence of armed groups and risk of cross border incursions.
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
There are no ATMs in the Central African Republic. The currency is the African Financial Community franc (XAF), also used in Chad, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The West African CFA franc is not legal tender in Central African Republic. Credit cards (Visa) and traveller’s cheques are accepted only in major hotels in Bangui (Sofitel, Central Hotel and Somba Hotel). Bangui and Berbérati are the only cities were you can change money.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. It is recommended you carry certified copies of your passport. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in the Central African Republic, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Homosexual acts between adults (of either sex) are illegal. Penalties include the death sentence.
Police checks are common and failure to produce identity documents (or notarised copies) can lead to detention.
Unauthorised photography around military zones, military assets, military or police personnel and government buildings is prohibited and may lead to detention, fines and the confiscation of cameras.
A licence is required to buy or sell precious gems and there are heavy penalties for illegally exporting precious gems.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Central African Republic for the most up to date information.
A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into the Central African Republic.
The Central African Republic is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited the Central African Republic in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities throughout the Central African Republic is extremely limited. Pharmaceuticals are in short supply and hygiene standards are poor. Doctors and hospitals generally require up-front payment before commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with the appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation could cost up to $A200,000 depending on circumstances.
Malaria occurs widely and throughout the year in the Central African Republic. Other insect-borne diseases (including yellow fever, filariasis and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cholera, polio, typhoid, hepatitis, meningitis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in the Central African Republic. You can obtain consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Paris::
Australian Embassy
4 rue Jean Rey
Paris, France
Telephone: (33 1) 40 59 33 00
Facsimile: (33 1) 40 59 33 10
Email: consular.paris@dfat.gov.au
Website: http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/
If you are travelling to the Central African Republic, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend that you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the above mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
