Central African Republic Travel Blogs

Background: The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who has since established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of affiliated and independent candidates will contest the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections scheduled for February 2005. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist.

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By LOD215
April 4th 2008

Seven Companions on the Road to CAR

Africa » Central African Republic » West » Bouar

Encounter
Carolyn with Pastor Antoinette

From February 15-26, 2008; I embarked in the challenging enterprise of facilitating a leadership travel for three companion synods. Six faithful but season travelers from Texas Louisiana Golf Cost, Western North Dakota and Eastern-North Dakota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America responded to the “CAR 2,000 Challenge”. The challenge consisted in crossing 2,000 kms (1,000 each way) on dirt road from Douala (Cameroon) to Bouar (West of CAR); defying all odds, security risk and possible harassment at border crossing point to arrive on time at the dedication of both th [View Full Entry]

By LOD215
March 21st 2008

Visiting Bouar, CAR

Africa » Central African Republic » West » Bouar

Young boys
Keep smiling

I frequently visit the Central African Republic (CAR) to foster the companion relationship between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the CAR (ELC-CAR). Despite the political turmoil, civil conflict and political instability, I cannot find a good excuse for not visiting my companions, friends, brothers, and sisters in the faith. CAR is rich in natural resources and a beautiful country but ravaged by repeated military coups and successive violent civil conflicts. During my travel and encounters with the Central African peoples, I discove [View Full Entry]

By Sasha
October 5th 2006

CAR today, Congo Tomorrow.

Africa » Central African Republic

Goodbye, Bangui!
For some reason these hippopotamus statues are everywhere.

I don't think anyone travels to the Congo without being well informed about it, but I don't think anyone who goes to the Congo fails to compare it to the Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, since it was the setting for this book. Yeah, it's fairly heart of darknessish, but so is all of Central Africa. This is where the guidebook ends, so I gave my guidebook away to a kid at the local restaurant. He wants to use it to help him learn English. Everyone wants to learn English here. This is an intense place to be, it [View Full Entry]

By Sasha
October 3rd 2006

Central African Republic, home of friendly road blocks

Africa » Central African Republic

Slippery
What a mess CAR is... that has to be the sorriest country in Africa right now. The French guy I met who stayed in Congo through all the war said he wouldn't set foot in CAR.

Before talking about CAR, I will talk a little about my excellent time in Cameroon, really a pretty nice country. I encountered no bureaucratic hassles here, everyone was friendly, and compared to where I am now, scamming and money grubbing were almost non existent. Despite their intensive logging the forests of Cameroon are still incredibly beautiful, especially in south. I like the Anglophone west, I met some really nice people and learned a lot of interesting things about the country. I did not meet any white people, though I saw many in Yaounde, so I didn't get the expat angle [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Central African Republic