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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Stanislas Moussa-Kembe
Embassy: 2704 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009
Telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800, 7801
Fax: [1] (202) 332-9893

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Laurence D. Wohlers
Embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
Mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
Telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10
FAX: [236] 61 44 94


FOREIGN RELATIONS

U.S.-CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) in 1960, following its independence from France. The United States and C.A.R. enjoy generally good relations, although the U.S. continues to have concerns about the pace of political and economic liberalization, social development, and respect for human rights.

C.A.R. is one of the world’s least developed nations, and has experienced several periods of political instability since independence. The two countries share a vision of a more stable Central African Republic that enjoys greater economic growth, contributes to regional stability, and is a reliable partner on issues of mutual importance. The United States continues to work with C.A.R. and through the United Nations and other international bodies to support the country as it combats the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The United States also encourages C.A.R. to develop institutions that will improve transparency, strengthen the rule of law, and promote unity among Central Africans.

The U.S. Embassy in C.A.R. was briefly closed as a result of 1996-97 military mutinies. It reopened in 1998 with limited staff, but U.S. Agency for International Development and Peace Corps missions previously operating there did not return. The Embassy again temporarily suspended operations in November 2002 in response to security concerns raised by the October 2002 launch of a rebellion that resulted in a coup in 2003. The Embassy reopened in 2005. A resident U.S. Ambassador was appointed to C.A.R. in 2007. Currently, there is limited U.S. diplomatic/consular representation in the country, and the Embassy's ability to provide services to U.S. citizens is extremely limited. Due to unrest, the U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to C.A.R.

U.S. Assistance to Central African Republic

Central African Republic is located in a volatile and poor region and has a long history of development, governance, and human rights problems. U.S. assistance in Central African Republic is largely humanitarian in nature, with substantial contributions to multilateral organizations. Other smaller assistance programs target military professionalization, human rights, and strengthening the rule of law. Restrictions on U.S. aid that were imposed after the 2003 military coup were lifted in 2005.

C.A.R. ranks 179 out of 187 on the United Nations' Human Development Index. Significant portions of the country's territory remain uncontrolled and ungoverned, with the presence of multiple armed actors creating insecurity in much of the north and northeast. The Lord’s Resistance Army continues to terrorize civilians in the southeastern part of the country. While the 2008 Inclusive Political Dialogue and subsequent peace and cease-fire agreements brought an end to much of the internal fighting, true stability has not been cemented because of the government’s lack of capacity to fully secure its territory. Insecurity continues throughout the country, particularly outside of Bangui, and the government recognizes the urgent need to protect its citizens against threats from internal and external actors.

In October 2011, President Barack Obama announced that the United States would deploy a small number of U.S. forces to act as advisors to the national militaries in the region that are pursuing the LRA, including the Ugandan People's Defense Force and the Central African Armed Forces. Forces were deployed to C.A.R. in December 2011.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and C.A.R. have a small amount of bilateral trade. In 2004, the United States removed C.A.R. from the list of countries eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The two countries have a bilateral investment agreement and investment treaty.

Central African Republic's Membership in International Organizations

The Central African Republic is an active member in several Central African organizations. A major foreign policy objective of the C.A.R. Government is standardization of tax, customs, and security arrangements among Central African countries. The Central African Republic and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. C.A.R. generally joins other African and developing countries in consensus positions on major policy issues.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Central African Republic is Laurence D. Wohlers; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Central African Republic maintains an embassy in the United States at 2704 Ontario Road, NW, Washington, DC, 20009 (tel: 202-483-7800/01).

More information about Central African Republic is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Central African Republic Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Central African Republic Page
U.S. Embassy: Central African Republic
History of U.S. Relations With Central African Republic
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Central African Republic check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (XAF) Africaine Franc
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 236, City Code, Berberati 62+5D, Bovar 63+5D, Bossangoa 64+5D, Bangui 66+5D



The Central African Republic (CAR) has possibly the most pristine national park in the whole of Africa, where pygmies guide you through forest that's the domain of elephants and rare lowland gorillas. Dense rainforests explode in riots of colourful butterflies, and out on the plains you can spot elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and a host of other animals you won't see outside of a zoo at home. The towns and cities have bustling markets, palm and banana wine for sale by the side of the roads, green hills and giraffes close by, and beer halls to do a Bavarian proud. All this comes without the hassle of souvenir sellers and wily tour operators.

There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and bushwhacking through rainforest, as well as mountain climbing and rock climbing if you look hard enough around the Bongo and the Yadé Massifs. You can cycle in the CAR, and it is a great way to make contact with locals. If you bring a football or soccer ball you'll make a splash with locals keen for a kick, and after soccer, basketball is Africa's most popular sport. Taking a wildlife safari is the best way to see the wildlife in some of the more remote parts of the country.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco....1000 cigarettes or cigarillos or 250 cigars or 2000 grams of tobacco
Note: females may only import cigarettes

Liquor.....5 bottles of alcoholic beverages

Perfume....5 bottles of perfume

Cameras....should be declared on arrival

Film.......reasonalbe for personal use

Agriculture items...refer psgr to consulate

Currency...must be declared on arrival

Gifts......no duty free allowance

Note: firearms must be declared before entering. when leaving, any animal skin and diamonds must be declared.



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