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Written by Adrian Guggisberg
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Central African Republic
| State: | 30.06.2007 | Abstract: | The country at that time is quite instable and the economical situation bad. Rebels from the north are coming down to the Yaounde- Bangui road for robberies. People from villages are kidnapped and a ransom is demanded. In the east CAR is bordering the war torn Darfour region. Refugees are crossing the boarder in both directions! In the southeast the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army from Uganda, hiding in DRC, Sudan and CAR) occasionally raids villages. Quite frequently aid worker are a target to rob and even kill. The north is much remoter and more dangerous.
The hospitable missioners, living in the bigger towns, are often familiar with the road- and security situation. | Visa:
| Costs in Yaounde (Cameroon) 25000 CFA (~ 45 USD) for one month. Usually the visa is ready on the following day. | Polizei, Militaer, Immigration:
| here are roadblocks approximately every 50 km. Usually in the bigger towns (on the Micheline Map 746). Often the officials are drunk and they like to show their AK47. Rarely I was NOT asked for bribes. Their strategy is to harass you till you are tired and willing to pay. Patients, jocks, few words in the local language Sango and talking, talking, talking helped me to go through with out paying. But few times I hat do show and explain all my equipment for hours. | Route:
| On the east west main road (Beloko, Bouar, Bangui, Bangassou) the army is patrolling. But still, there are armed bandits attacking trucks and cars. People warned me not to take any other road. There are less incidents during the rainy season because off bad traveling conditions for the bandits. A good source for information is the UNO satellite station in Bouar.
This main road is tarred from Bangui 180 km to the east and 320 km to the west.
The dirt road was in passable or good conditions. But it can change quickly. During rain and some hours after the road is closed for cars and trucks. | People:
| The country is very poor and people told me I’m the first tourist in 10 years. For accommodation, I asked the head of the village if he has a place where I can pitch my tent. Usually they invited me and some time I had men guarding my hut. Once, in a village some of my cloths disappeared. With police aid and their horrible methods I got back my stuff the next day. Bangui has a bad reputation for its robbers. | | Links: | Stories..
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