Travel to Central Africa Republic - The Heart of Africa

Stan Bolibo Start Date: Aug 20, 2017 - End Date: Dec 19, 2017
  • Central African Republic

My Travel Story

by: Stan Bolibo Start Date: Aug 20, 2017 - End Date: Dec 19, 2017
Central African Republic!? Where's that?
That's the kind of question I stumble upon most of the time.

I spent most of my life in France but my family always reminds me that I have two homes and shall never forget my African roots.

When I was a kid and teenager, I used to visit my family there in the main capital Bangui. And although the economic situation wasn't great comparing to European standard, people were genuinely happy and cared for each others even though they had so few.

But in 2011, a coup destabilized the former government and plunged the country in a state of decay and death. Rebels would go through all cities committing all kind of crimes. The population would flee to neighbors countries or in the bush vulnerable to diseases and hunger.

The event gained international news outlets at the time but faded away quite quickly after it looked like that was going to last more longer than expected.

Since 2016 however due to UN efforts to get the country back on it knees due to military logistics, a new government has been put in place and most rebels bands has been dismantled so the city center became quite safe but rogues are still actives in far away lands.

Getting in Central African Republic is quite the trouble, most countries would discourage it citizens to visit due to safety.

I fortunately got a dual citizenship and can manage to pass through all the standard procedures. After all these years it would be a dream to see this wonderful country, it people and hear what they went through. 

If this project is a success, I would then create a web page to record my journey so people would know more about this country as well :-) I'll keep you updated.

Thank you

Stan
  • Central African Republic