Central African Republic

The Department of State warns that armed militia groups, bandits and poachers present real dangers in the Central African Republic (CAR). There have been repeated attacks on Central African and expatriate travelers in the countryside. Attacks in past months have occurred as close as 70 kilometers from the capital, Bangui.

Poachers and armed men pose a threat to game hunters in the north and east. The Lord’s Resistance Army poses a similar threat to hunters in eastern CAR.

Bangui suffers from elevated rates of petty and violent crime. CAR military and civilian security forces (and people posing as such) staff checkpoints throughout the city, harassing people for bribes.

Spontaneous demonstrations take place in CAR in response to world events or local developments and can escalate into violence.