Central African Republic / République centrafricaine / Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka – Let’s explore here
What’s it like in Central African Republic?
Central African Republic (CAR) is a large, landlocked country in central Africa, about the size of Ukraine. It is comprised of lowland hills covered in forest in the south, swamp forests in the west and savannah elsewhere. The highest point is Mont Ngaoui in the west of the country, at 4,630 ft (1,410 m) above sea level.
The country has a long, rich and very troubled history, involving much political instability, resulting in it now being one of the least developed and poorest countries on the planet.
The population of Central African Republic is around 5½ million people (2024), about one in six of whom live in the capital, Bangui. It shares land borders with Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, South Sudan, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A bit about the history of Central African Republic
Early History and Indigenous Groups
The area that is now the Central African Republic has a long history of indigenous settlement, with various ethnic groups such as the Bantu, Gbaya, Sara and Mandjia inhabiting the region for centuries. These groups had complex social structures and were primarily involved in agriculture, hunting and trade. The region was not unified under a single political entity, but instead, local kingdoms and chiefdoms, such as the Kongo and Baya kingdoms, held power in different areas.
Colonial Period and French Rule
In the late 19th century, European colonial powers, particularly France, expanded into Central Africa. The area was colonised as part of French Equatorial Africa, with the French establishing control over the region by 1903. Under French rule, the Central African Republic (then called Oubangui-Chari) became a key part of the French colonial system. The French introduced a system of forced labour and economic exploitation, primarily focusing on extracting natural resources like timber, cotton and rubber.
Path to Independence
After World War II, the push for independence grew throughout Africa. In 1958, the French granted Oubangui-Chari the status of an autonomous republic within the French Community. Finally, on 13 August 1960, the Central African Republic gained full independence from France, with David Dacko becoming the country’s first president. However, the early years of independence were marked by political instability and economic challenges.
Military Coups and Political Instability
The first few decades after independence were characterised by political instability. In 1966, President David Dacko was overthrown in a military coup led by Jean-Bédel Bokassa, who declared himself emperor in 1976, forming the Central African Empire. Bokassa’s regime was notorious for its brutality, corruption and lavish spending, which ultimately led to his downfall. In 1979, a French-backed coup ousted Bokassa, and Dacko was reinstated as president.
Civil War and Armed Conflicts
The following decades saw continued instability, with several coups and civil conflicts. In the 1990s, there was an attempt to bring stability through a process of democratic reforms and multi party elections. However, the country remained prone to armed conflict. In 2003, François Bozizé led a successful coup, overthrowing President Ange-Félix Patassé. Bozizé’s regime, which was characterised by corruption and human rights violations, faced several challenges, including an uprising by rebel forces in 2012.
The 2013 Crisis and Ongoing Conflict
In 2013, Seleka, a coalition of mostly Muslim rebel groups, seized power, overthrowing President Bozizé. This led to a rapid deterioration of the country’s security situation, with widespread violence, looting and massacres. The country became engulfed in a civil war between Seleka and the anti-Balaka militia, which was predominantly Christian. The conflict led to large scale displacement and significant humanitarian crises, with thousands killed and many more forced to flee their homes.
Peace Efforts and Recent Developments
In recent years, the Central African Republic has experienced multiple attempts at peace agreements. In 2019, a peace deal was signed between the government and 14 armed groups, although its implementation has been slow and fragile. Despite these efforts, the security situation remains volatile, with ongoing violence from armed groups, particularly in rural areas. The country continues to face significant challenges in terms of governance, infrastructure and economic development.
Modern Central African Republic
The Central African Republic remains one of the poorest and most unstable countries in Africa. Despite its rich natural resources, including diamonds, gold and uranium, the country struggles with poverty, corruption and a lack of basic services. Efforts by the international community, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission and French military support, have aimed to stabilise the situation, but challenges persist. Political, ethnic and religious tensions continue to hinder the country’s path to long term peace and development.
Central African Republic road trip
Our current planned route takes us close to CAR, and we may make a detour to visit the country, probably from either the Republic of Congo or Cameroon. Although due to the current turbulence in the region, we may visit at another time. Whenever we do visit, hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂
Map of Central African Republic
What’s it like to drive in Central African Republic?
They drive on the right hand side of the road in CAR. In the main, roads are very poor, with many being unsurfaced dirt tracks. Driving standards are also poor.
Do you require an international driving permit in CAR?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving through CAR?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in CAR?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
What currency do they use in Central African Republic?
In CAR they use the Central African CFA franc, although Euros are also accepted. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is not widely accepted. Travellers cheques are not accepted. There are very few ATMs in cities and towns throughout the country, and even fewer that will accept foreign-issued cards.
The Central African CFA franc is used in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Central African Republic?
They mainly speak Sango in CAR, although French is the official language, though not so widely spoken. English is not widely spoken.
What time zone is CAR in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Central African Republic?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is wild camping legal in Central African Republic?
Yes, wild camping is fine in CAR.
What plug / socket type do they use in Central African Republic?
In CAR they use plug / socket types C and E.
Health issues in Central African Republic
Is it safe to drink water in Central African Republic?
No, it is not safe to drink tap water in CAR. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country.
What vaccinations are required for Central African Republic?
This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in CAR.
Phones in Central African Republic
What is the country calling code for Central African Republic?
The country calling code for CAR is +236
What are the emergency phone numbers in Central African Republic?
- The emergency number for police in CAR is: 117
- In CAR, the emergency number for ambulance is: 1220
- The emergency number for fire in CAR is: 118
If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!