CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, AT THEIR OWN RISK AND RISK | France 5 | Les Routes de l'Impossible

In the Central African Republic, the civil war has finally destabilized a country that was already precariously balanced. The wealth that lies beneath the ground does not trickle into the arduous everyday lives of the inhabitants. Cities are practically cut off from the world, cities like Ngoto… The road that leads to it is impracticable and ambulances no longer take it, so medical transport is provided by motorcycle! Torture for the sick. A race against the clock, or rather a race against death. During the last civil war, many taxies and buses were destroyed or stolen. Vehicles are in short supply, so some bush taxi-drivers use cattle trucks! Jammed in, crushed, shaken all ways, like in a washing machine. The journey is torment for the passengers. However, everybody retains their good humour even when they have to spend a night in the open air. Putting up with bad roads is not inevitable in the Central African Republic. The Ubangi river serves as a highway… Waters that are relatively calm, but often deadly! The whaleboats, large vessels, are no better than the cattle trucks! Passengers are crowded in in the same way and sinkings are frequent! Ancient engines that break down at the wrong time, sailing at night without lights, all cause terrible accidents… Our crew actually experienced one such wreck. Whether by truck, motorbike or boat, in order to obtain food, medical care or sell their goods, the life of Central Africans is an obstacle race. But whatever happens, the 6 million Central Africans repeat this saying: “However long the night, the sun will rise.”.