What to do if someone dies in Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world’s most fragile states. Armed groups control large areas outside the capital Bangui. Russian Wagner Group (Africa Corps) has operated alongside government forces since 2018. FCDO advises against all travel to all areas of CAR outside Bangui, and all but essential travel to Bangui itself.

There is no resident British Embassy. Consular coverage comes from the British Embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

First step

Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British Embassy Yaoundé, Cameroon: +237 222 220 545.

Do not travel to CAR. All management must be conducted remotely.

British Embassy Yaoundé: non-resident coverage

No British Embassy in CAR. All consular services come from the British Embassy in Yaoundé. The Embassy registers the death for UK purposes and advises on current conditions and the feasibility of any given case in Bangui.

Civil registration in Bangui

CAR uses French civil law. Death registration in Bangui runs through the état civil. Documentation is in French. The attending physician certifies cause of death. The civil registrar issues the acte de décès.

For non-natural deaths, FACA (Forces Armées Centrafricaines) or police must attend and issue clearance. The security environment means this can involve both national authority and MINUSCA (UN peacekeeping mission in CAR) chains of contact. An examining magistrate issues judicial clearance.

Ministry of Health export permit

Once civil registration and security clearance are complete, the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. A licensed funeral director embalms and prepares the body in Bangui. All documents require certified English translation.

Document checklist

Routing

Bangui M’Poko International Airport (BGF):

• Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa (ADD) — most reliable UK cargo route
• Air France direct Bangui-Paris CDG — connecting London
• Kenya Airways to Nairobi (NBO)

Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most consistent option for UK-bound cargo from Bangui.

Outside Bangui: not achievable

FCDO advises against all travel to all areas of CAR outside Bangui. Armed groups control most of the country. Civilian body recovery from outside Bangui is not achievable by standard repatriation means.

What to do first

FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British Embassy Yaoundé: +237 222 220 545.

Engage a specialist firm with Central African Francophone experience and confirmed Bangui contacts. Do not travel. All management must be done remotely.

Sources: UK FCDO Central African Republic travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/central-african-republic, updated 2024); British Embassy Yaoundé; UN MINUSCA.