Central African Republic Overview Travel Warning We strongly advise against all travel to the Central African Republic and suggest you visit one of the following government websites for the latest risk assessment: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website: www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp Tel: +44 (0)20 7238 4503/4 US Department of State Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Website: http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu General Information Area: 622,984 sq km (240,535 sq miles). Population: 3,576,884 (official estimate 2001). Population Density: 5.7 per sq km. Capital: Bangui. Population: 524,000 (1994). GEOGRAPHY: The Central African Republic is bordered to the north by Chad, to the east by Sudan, to the south by the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, and to the west by Cameroon. It is a large, landlocked territory of mostly uninhabited forest, bush and game reserves. The Chari River cuts through the centre from east to west; towards the Cameroon border the landscape rises to 2000m (6560ft) west of Bocaranga in the northwest corner, while the southwest has dense tropical rainforest. Most of the country is rolling or flat plateau covered with dry deciduous forest, except where it has been reduced to grass savannah or destroyed by bush fire. The northeast becomes desert scrubland and mountainous in parts. Government: Republic. Head of State: President Ange-Félix Patassé since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Martin Ziguélé since 2001. Language: The national language is Sango, but French is the official administrative language and is essential for business. Religion: Mostly animist. One-third of the population is Christian. There is a small Islamic minority. Time: GMT + 1. Electricity: 220/380 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 236, although some calls are still directed through the operator. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network is operated by Telecel Centrafrique (website: www.telecel.com). Coverage is limited to the capital, Bangui. Internet ISPs include Socatel (website: www.socatel.intnet.cf), Fateb and Bangui 2000. Telegram Telegrams may be sent Sat 1430-1830, Sun 0800-1830. Post There is a post office in each prefecture. Local postal services are unreliable. Both postal and telecommunications services are in the course of development. Airmail services to Europe take approximately one week, although it is often much longer; surface mail can take up to three months. Poste Restante facilities are available in Bangui. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1130 and 1430-1630, Sat 1430-1830, Sun 0800-1100, open for stamps and telegrams only . Press There are two daily newspapers, E Le Songo and Le Novateur, an independent publication. The weekly publications have limited distribution and are in French. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.83 15.40 11.77 7.160 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for six months after entry into the Central African Republic required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo (Dem Rep), Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Israel, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Switzerland and Togo, provided travelling from their own countries; (b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Tourist/Business and Transit: €30 (for stays of up to 30 days); €152 (for stays of up to three months). Fees paid in other currencies depend on exchange rates. Validity: Tourist and Business visas are valid for stays of maximum three months. For transit through the Central African Republic, enquire at the Consulate (or Consular sections at Embassy). Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) Two application forms. (b) Fee. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Return/onward ticket. (e) Letter from company stating that applicant will resume work on returning. (f) Yellow fever vaccination certificate. (g) Stamped, self-addressed envelope. Working days required: Normally two unless application is referred to the authorities in the Central African Republic. Money Currency: CFA Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. These notes are legal tender in the republics which formerly comprised French Equatorial Africa (Chad, Cameroon, Central French monetary area). Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at banks in Bangui and Berbérati. Credit & debit cards: Not generally accepted. Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros. Even so, commission rates can be very high. Currency restrictions: Import and export of local currency from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo is unlimited; for all other countries the import and export of local currency is limited to CFAfr75,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Feb ’02 May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 £1.00= 1069.41 1035.90 1025.70 1038.27 $1.00= 747.79 710.84 674.41 656.55 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0700-1130. Duty Free The following goods may be imported by visitors over 18 years of age into the Central African Republic without incurring customs duty: 1000 cigarettes or cigarillos or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco (for women, cigarettes only); 5 bottles of alcoholic beverages; 5 bottles of perfume. Note: Firearms must be declared before entering. When leaving the Central African Republic, any animal skins and diamonds must be declared. Certain types of spirits are prohibited. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 29 Anniversary of the Death of Barthélemy Boganda. Apr 21 Easter Monday. Jun 30 National Day of Prayer. Aug 13 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 1 National Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Mar 29 Anniversary of the Death of Barthélemy Boganda. Apr 12 Easter Monday. Jun 30 National Day of Prayer. Aug 13 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 1 National Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Central African Republic. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information. 3: Immunisation against typhoid is usually recommended. 4: Risk of malaria (and of other insect-borne diseases) exists all year throughout the country. The malignant falciparum form is prevalent. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Hepatitis A and E are present and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Diarrhoeal illnesses are common. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis occur during the dry season. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are also prevalent. An epidemic of meningococcal meningitis in 2000 affected a number of areas including Vakaga, Bamingui-Bangoran, Haute Katto and Ouham Pend. Vaccination is strongly recommended. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: Full health insurance is essential, and should include air evacuation to Europe in case of serious accident or illness. Medical facilities are severely limited outside the major centres and visitors should travel with their own supply of remedies for simple ailments such as stomach upsets; pharmaceutical supplies are usually very difficult to obtain. Travel - International Note: There is still great political tension in the Central African Republic and it is advisable to avoid all travel to this country. For further advice contact your local government travel advice department. AIR: The main airlines serving the Central African Republic are Air France (AF) and Air Afrique (RK). Both operate two flights a week from Paris to Bangui. Sudan Airways also offer a route from London or Paris via Khartoum to Bangui. There are regular flights from Bangui to various African cities, including Libreville and N'Djaména. Approximate flight times: From London to Bangui is nine hours 40 minutes (including approximately one hour stopover in Paris). There are also connections between Bangui and Douala (Cameroon), Lagos (Nigeria) and other West African destinations. International airport: Bangui M’Poko (BGF) is 4km (2.5 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are available to the city (travel time – 15 minutes). A bus service to the city meets all flights. Airport facilities include a restaurant, post office, shops and car hire. Departure tax: CFAfr2000 is levied on all passengers. RIVER: The route by ferry along the Ubangi to Bangui from the Congo or the Congo (Dem Rep) is run by the Congo (Dem Rep’s) government-owned ONATRA company. However, it is not operating at present, owing to rebel activity in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A car/passenger ferry normally operates across the Ubangi between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Bangui–Zongo) and (Bangassou–Ndu). Fares are very low, although the service breaks down frequently and may be disrupted by political instability. It is sometimes possible to hire a boat, although this is expensive. Visitors may not cross the river to the Congo (Dem Rep) on Saturday or Sunday, as the customs posts in that country do not operate at the weekend. ROAD: Road access is from the Congo (Dem Rep), Chad and Cameroon. There are reasonable all-weather roads from Yaoundé (Cameroon) and Ndjaména (Chad). The border with Cameroon may be closed; it is necessary to check locally near the time of travel. Theoretically, all borders are open; however, non-residents can experience difficulty obtaining permission to cross them. Travel - Internal AIR: Scheduled flights sometimes operate to Berbérati. However, most domestic flying is limited to chartered planes. Contact Air Afrique for details. RIVER: Ferries sail from Bangui to several towns further up the Ubangi. ROAD: Good roads connect the few main towns, but the majority are often impassable during the rainy season and one should expect delays. Outside the urban areas, motor vehicles are rare and spare parts virtually impossible to find. Traffic drives on the right. Travellers must carry as large a petrol supply as possible as deliveries to stations outside the towns are infrequent. Bus: Local services run between towns; they are a cheap but sometimes a gruelling way to travel. It is also possible to pay for a lift on the numerous goods trucks which drive between the main towns. Car hire: Self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars are available. Documentation: International Driving Permit required. URBAN: Limited bus services run in Bangui on a two-zone tariff. Taxis are only available in the urban areas; they do not have meters and fares must be negotiated. Accommodation HOTELS: There are good hotels in Bangui, some of which are very exclusive and expensive. The better hotels have air conditioning and swimming pools. Pre-booking is essential, ideally several weeks in advance. Outside Bangui, accommodation of any standard is very difficult to find, although guest-houses exist in smaller towns, principally Bangassou, Bambari and Bossangoa. CAMPING AND CARAVANNING: Camping is available at the Centre d’Accueil des Touristes at ‘Kilomètre Cinq’. Most of the country is unpopulated or traversed by nomadic herdsmen, and there are few organised facilities for camping and caravanning. Sufficient provisions should be carried with vehicles at all times. Introduction BANGUI: At the beginning of the century, the present-day capital, Bangui, was a modest village beside the River Ubangi; it now extends over 15 sq km (5 sq miles). Built on a rock, it is shaded by tropical greenery and features many modern buildings. Places of interest include the colourful Central Market (renowned for its malachite necklaces), the Boganda Museum, the Arts and Crafts School, the cathedral and the Saint Paul Mission, whose small brick church overlooks the river, and the Hausa quarter. The Grande Corniche leads to the banks of the Ubangi and provides a picturesque view of the fishermen’s round huts and canoes. ELSEWHERE: The Lobaye Region, 100km (60 miles) from the capital, is inhabited by indigenous forest tribes living in encampments of small, low huts made of lianas and roofed with leaves. There are coffee plantations on the fringe of the forest. A number of similar villages can also be found in the M’Baiki Region, 100km (60 miles) southwest of Bangui. The Boali Waterfalls are 90km (55 miles) northwest of Bangui, near the charming and picturesque village of Boali. They are 250m (820ft) wide and 50m (165ft) high, with a stunning view from the restaurant at the top. The nearby hydroelectric power plant can also be visited. At Bouar, in the east of the country, there is an area of burial mounds with many upright megaliths (tanjunu) thought to be thousands of years old. In Bangassou, near the Ubangi River on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, are the extraordinary Kembe Falls on the River Kotto. Sport & Activities Wildlife: There are opportunities to view wildlife in the country’s national parks, most of which are accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles from Birao, in the far north of the country between the Chad and Sudanese borders, during the dry season only. It is also possible to charter light aircraft to travel to these areas. The three most important parks are Manovo-Gounda St Floris, known for its high concentration of hippos; Bamingui-Bangoran in the north; and Dzanga-Sangha in the southwest. The game population of these National Parks is impressive, although the activities of poachers have led to a considerable decrease in recent years, elephants and rhinos being the worst affected species. It is possible to view gorillas in Bayanga. There is no accommodation available: all supplies, including bedding, must be taken. Outdoor pursuits: Travellers can also participate in archery, fishing, rock-climbing, golf and swimming. Note: Travel outside Bangui can be dangerous, and travellers should take suitable precautions. Social Profile Food & Drink: Western food is only available in the capital, Bangui. Most of the top-class hotels have good restaurants. The standard of these restaurants is high, but they do tend to be expensive. Otherwise travellers must call at local villages and barter for provisions. Local food is basic. Bars are numerous in Bangui with both table and counter service. Drinking and smoking are not encouraged in Muslim society; in Muslim areas drinking is best done in private. Nightlife: The few hotels in Bangui have expensive clubs catering for tourists and businessmen; local nightlife is centred on the district known as ‘Kilomètre Cinq’. Shopping: Bangui has reasonable shopping facilities, notably for ebony, gold jewellery, butterfly collections and objets d’arts made from butterfly wings. However, one of the best methods of finding bargain souvenirs is by bartering with villagers outside the urban areas for their handmade goods. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1600-1900. Some shops close on Monday. The market in Bangui is open 0730-dusk. Social Conventions: Dress is informal. Care should be taken to dress modestly in Muslim areas, and Muslim customs should be respected and observed; visitors should not, for instance, show the soles of their feet when sitting. It is customary to shake hands. Women are strictly segregated, especially in towns. In Muslim areas, visitors should not smoke or drink in public during Ramadan. Photography: Film is expensive and should be sent abroad for developing. Show caution and discretion when photographing local people; ask for permission. Do not photograph military installations or government buildings. Tipping: Ten per cent is appropriate for most services. Business Profile Economy: Agriculture, upon which most of the population depends, is concentrated on subsistence crops plus coffee, cotton and wood as cash crops for export. Livestock and tobacco are also exported. The main cash earner is timber, which has been heavily exploited with little government restriction. The country’s mining industry is largely devoted to diamonds; a small quantity of gold is also produced. Other deposits, including uranium, copper, manganese and iron ore, are yet to be exploited. The small manufacturing sector is devoted to the processing of primary products to produce food and drinks, wood products and textiles. The overall economic development of the Central African Republic has been limited by an adverse climate, poor infrastructure and low world commodity prices. The Central African Republic is a member of the Central African Economic and Customs Union (CEEAC), the main regional trading organisation. France provides extensive economic and financial aid, and is the country’s main trading partner. Belgium and Luxembourg are both important export markets. Business: A knowledge of French is essential. Interpreter and translation services may be available at large hotels. Business cards should be in French and English. Formal wear is expected (suits and ties for men). The best months for business visits are between November and May. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie, des Mines et de l'Artisanat (CCIMA), BP 813, Bangui (tel: 611 668; fax: 613 570). Climate Hot all year with a defined dry season. Especially hot in the north, with greater humidity in the south. The rainy season is mainly from May to October. Required clothing: Linens and tropical waterproof clothing. History and Government History: Prior to French colonisation of central Africa around the 1880s, many tribes fled to the area in order to escape the slave trade. In 1910 the area known as Ubangi-Chari became incorporated into French Equatorial Africa and turned over to a number of concessionaires who ran their separate fiefdoms as commercial operations with little or no regard for the indigenous people. A number of unsuccessful revolts were launched against the concessionaires until, immediately after World War II, the territory was granted its own assembly and representation in the French National Assembly. Internal self-government followed in 1958 with the leading nationalist politician, Barthélemy Boganda, serving as Prime Minister. Boganda died the following year and it was left to his nephew, David Dacko, to steer the country to full independence in 1960. Following the common practice of the day, Dacko established a one-party state. However, in 1965, with the country facing bankruptcy and political chaos, Dacko was overthrown by army chief Jean-Bedel Bokassa. The already imporished country was further damaged by the disastrous and profligate rule of the self-styled ‘Emperor’ Bokassa. (His 1977 ‘coronation’ alone is estimated to have used up over a quarter of the country’s annual income. The country was renamed the ‘Central African Empire’.) And despite his well-documented abuses, Bokassa was consistently tolerated by the French who continued to wield huge influence over the country. Bokassa was finally deposed in 1979 by Dacko and exiled to France. (He returned unexpectedly in 1986 and, after trial, sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.) The country now reverted to its original title but experienced little improvement in its fortunes. The two dominant figures in the country’s recent history have been André Kolingba, another former army commander who took over after ousting Dacko in a 1981 military coup, and Ange-Félix Patassé, who later emerged as Kolingba’s principal opponent. During the 1980s, Kolingba consolidated his rule as leader of the country’s sole legal political party, Rassemblement Démocratique Centrafricain (RDC). In the early 1990s, as democracy swept through Francophone Africa, violent domestic protests and heavy French pressure forced Kolingba to concede the introduction of a multi-party system. Patassé won the first election held under the new democratic constitution in 1993, defeating both Kolingba and Dacko. In December 1998, elections to the National Assembly returned the MLPC as the largest party but short of an absolute majority. In September the following year, Patassé and Kolingba once again competed for the Presidency, and again Patassé won a comfortable victory. The last few years have seen a series of mutinies by army units – mainly protesting over unpaid wages – culminating in May 2001 in an attempted coup orchestrated by Kolingba (backed by units from the Congolese army). After a week of fighting, the Government regained control with the support of troops from Chad and Libya. The presence of the latter confirmed the diminishing influence of the French who, although still providing vital economic and political support, have withdrawn their former garrisons at Bangui and Bouar. Government: The President, who is Head of State and is elected for a six-year term, holds executive power. Legislative power rests with the Congress which has three components: the 85-member National Assembly, directly elected for five years; the Economic and Regional Council, half of whose members are elected by the Assembly and the remainder appointed by the President; and an advisory State Council. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.