The U.S. State Department has warned Americans of the risks of traveling to the Central African Republic (CAR), and recommended against all but essential travel outside capital Bangui.
Travelers in the CAR should exercise extreme caution, the Department said in a Travel Warning issued on Wednesday.
U.S. citizens have been reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. They are urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any public gatherings.
In some cases, U.S. citizens have been arrested and detained without due process and housed in harsh prison conditions. The CAR government has at times denied Consular access to U.S. citizen prisoners and moved them to other facilities without informing the U.S. Embassy.
The Department has made it clear that U.S. Embassy staff in Bangui can provide only limited services to U.S. citizens.
Those who are going to live in or travel to the Central African Republic despite the Travel Warning have been advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to keep them up to date with important safety and security announcements.
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