Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to Guinea and UK citizens are advised to leave Guinea unless they have a pressing reason to stay.  The level of security in Guinea has deteriorated steadily since the coup in December 2008 and has been made worse by the shootings of 28 September in Conakry.  Although Conakry is currently relatively calm with the occasional shooting reported from within the military camps, we advise UK citizens to leave Guinea by whichever means are available to them.  The airport and land borders are open.

  
  
• The military is patrolling Conakry and there are ad hoc roadblocks.  We advise against all travel into Conakry until further notice. 
  
  
• Following shooting of demonstrators in central Conakry on 28 September 2009, the city remains tense with sporadic shooting and looting of some shops in the night.  Many shops, offices, banks and petrol stations are currently closed.  The airport remains open.
  
  
• Following the military coup on 23 December 2008.  A ‘National Council for Democracy and Development’ (CNDD), consisting of mainly military personnel, is running the country in tandem with a civilian Prime Minister and transitional government it has appointed.  The CNDD has banned any gatherings of large groups and prohibited demonstrations. Violent crowds can emerge at short notice and disrupt traffic flows.
  
  
• If you are currently in Guinea you should monitor local press reports, take sensible precautions for your safety and exercise extreme caution including in all areas near military camps.  You should avoid all demonstrations and political rallies.
  
  
• Theft at gunpoint of individuals and businesses has increased since the coup, with reports each month of violent crime such as robbery and assault being carried out in particular by individuals dressed in military-style uniforms carrying military weapons.  Petty crime is also common in Guinea. There is little or no chance of redress through the court system, which is subordinate to the military.  Exchanging foreign currency on the street or using unofficial money changers has been made illegal.  Those using money changers, even for small amounts, including at the international airport, have been arrested and detained in military custody.  You should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public.
  
  
• Areas of Guinea bordering Senegal and Guinea Bissau are reported as being tense with an increased military presence in July 2009.  The border areas with Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone are also unstable.  There are ongoing tensions in these areas because of the fragile and unstable security situation in Côte d'Ivoire, and poor government control over the border areas in Liberia (where a large UN peacekeeping force is still in place).  There is also a high military presence in these areas
  
  
• Due to the small size of our Embassy in Conakry, only limited emergency consular assistance can be provided.  Nevertheless, we recommend you register with the Embassy, preferably by e-mail to britembconakry@hotmail.com or via LOCATE. See the General (Consular assistance) section of this advice for more details.
  

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.

• There is a low threat from terrorism in Guinea. You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel insurance for more details.