US warns against going to Central African Republic

The State Department is warning U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Central African Republic amid renewed rebel advances.

A travel warning issued Sunday also recommends against all but essential travel outside the capital, Bangui (bahn-GEE'). Increased rebel activity has led the State Department to authorize its non-emergency personnel in Bangui to leave.

The department's warning says armed militia groups, bandits and poachers present real dangers, and that the Central African Republic's government can't guarantee the safety of visitors in most parts of the country.

A rebel group that signed a peace accord in 2007 recently resumed fighting in a move intended to force the state to review the 6-year-old accord.