Sub Saharan Africa

Guinea

Still current at: 03 December 2008

Updated: 01 December 2008

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But 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. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

In November 2008 there has been a marked increase in violent crime in Conakry.  In particular, a number of armed robberies of vehicles have been carried out late at night by individuals dressed in military-style uniforms and by youths.  These incidents have taken place in Conakry city and also in and around the international airport.  If you plan to arrive in Conakry on a flight after dark we strongly recommend you arrange your airport transfer before you travel.  In November 2008 armed robberies have also been reported during daylight hours.

Petty crime is common in Guinea.  You should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public.

You should not become involved with drugs of any kind.  All precious stones require an export licence.  Those who commit criminal offences, including gem smuggling, can expect to be subjected to local law.  There are heavy penalties for those convicted.  Local prison conditions are harsh.

Pickpocketing, muggings and armed break-ins occur especially in Conakry.  You should avoid carrying valuables in public and be vigilant at all times.

The local police number for downtown Conakry is (+224) 30 45 17 97 (Commissariat Central Kaloum).

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Guinea Country Profile

There has been heightened political tension in Guinea since the appointment of a new Prime Minister on 20 May 2008.  A mutiny by part of the army from 26 to 30 May 2008 and a police strike which started on 16 June both resulted in disturbances in the centre of Conakry causing deaths.   The disruption arising from the mutiny and police strike was largely limited to Conakry, but these events were very serious.  We understand that up to 30 people may have been killed. While the situation in Guinea has been calm since the Prime Minister’s announcement of his ministerial team on 19 June 2008, and the police started returning to work on 27 June, the situation could change quickly and further disturbances may occur.  You should exercise caution if you travel to Guinea, particularly in Conakry and in areas near military camps.  You should avoid all demonstrations and political rallies, violent crowds can appear at short notice and disrupt traffic flows  On 10 November student protesters erected barricades blocking Rue de Prince, a main road to the airport for an hour before being dispersed.

A general strike remains a possibility. Should a general strike take place, banks are likely to close and there may be fuel shortages and other forms of disruption. Violence during a general strike in 2007 resulted in injures and deaths amongst protesters.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel in the areas of Guinea bordering Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire. There are 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) and Sierra Leone. There is also a high military presence in these areas.

Road Travel

Public transport, when it exists, is neither reliable nor safe.  Taxis and long distance buses are poorly maintained, and the drivers often unqualified.  Most major hotels and travel agencies offer cars for hire, with a chauffeur if required.

The rainy season (May - October), makes travel outside Conakry and to the interior both difficult and hazardous.  Travel outside cities after dark should be avoided.  Fuel shortages often occur in Guinea.  It is inadvisable to travel within Guinea without a sufficient supply of fuel to complete your journey.

The standard of road maintenance is low.  Beware of deep potholes.  Many roads are not metalled and are not repaired after the rainy season.  Roads within Conakry and other principal towns can quickly become flooded and impassable.  Vehicles countrywide may be badly maintained and unroadworthy.  Few motorists have any form of insurance.  Hostile crowds can gather quickly at the scene of a traffic accident, particularly where foreigners are involved.

You are strongly advised not to travel outside of Conakry and other principal towns after dark.

Police and local militia checkpoints are found throughout the country.  Vehicles and passengers are submitted to checks on documentation and baggage.  Corruption and extortion are common at roadblocks.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

There are a number of local airlines, which operate internally and on shuttle routes to neighbouring destinations.  We do not have reliable information about safety and/or maintenance standards, but flights are frequently delayed or cancelled.

As mentioned in the Crime section of this advice, in November 2008 a number of vehicles in and around Conakry international airport were robbed at gunpoint late at night.  If you plan to arrive in Conakry on a flight after dark we strongly recommend you arrange your airport transfer before you travel. In November 2008 armed robberies have also been reported during daylight hours.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: Air Transport Portal of the European Commission - latest news.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Sea Travel

There have been reports of attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Guinean territorial waters. Please see River and Sea Safety for more detailed information on piracy.

You should not become involved with drugs of any kind.  All precious stones require an export licence.  Those who commit criminal offences, including gem smuggling, can expect to be subjected to local law.  There are heavy penalties for those convicted.  Local prison conditions are harsh.

It is a requirement that foreigners and Guinea nationals show identification if requested by the police or other law enforcement agencies.  You are allowed to carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport, provided they are certified by the Guinean police.  The original should be kept in a safe place.

 

 

Photography and filming in many parts of the country is forbidden.  Elsewhere they are subject to strict rules which are enforced rigidly.  It is forbidden to photograph or film anything of strategic value e.g.  bridges.  Individuals may prefer not to be photographed.  If in doubt, ask or do not take pictures. 

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

All British nationals require a visa to enter or reside in Guinea.  Visas for both private and business travel and residency can be obtained at the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea.

Passport Validity

Your passport must have a validity of at least six months when applying for a visa to enter Guinea.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

You require a certified Yellow Fever vaccination certificate to enter Guinea.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea.

Medical facilities are poor in Guinea, with equipment basic and often not sterile. You should carry basic medical supplies, and should consider including an emergency dental kit if travelling outside Conakry.  There are minimal facilities for dealing with heart problems and major trauma.  For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to Europe is necessary. There are well-stocked pharmacies in Conakry but few outside the capital.  

There are no central contact numbers for hospitals in Guinea.  Only private clinics can be contacted.  In Conakry, Clinique Pasteur can be reached on (+224) 30430074.

Malaria and other waterborne diseases, such as cholera, are prevalent.  Water supplies are untreated so you should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Guinea you should seek immediate medical attention.

Cholera occurs every year in the rainy season in most parts of the country, and lasts for up to eight months. 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 81,000 adults aged 15 or over in Guinea were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling.  This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registering with the British Embassy

We strongly recommend that you register with the embassy if you have not already done so, preferably by e-mail to britembconakry@hotmail.com.

You can also register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Consular Assistance

Due to the small size of the British Embassy, only emergency assistance can be provided.

All visitors to the Embassy will be seen strictly by appointment.

The Embassy will run a telephone enquiry service on (+224) 63 35 53 29 during normal office hours:  Monday to Thursday 0800-1630 and Friday 0800-1300.

In an emergency the duty officer can be reached 24 hours a day on (+224) 60 25 42 05.

Money

 

Credit cards are not widely used.  ATM facilities accept foreign cards, but should not be relied upon as a means of getting money.  International credit cards may be used to draw cash over the counter.  Outside Conakry banking can be difficult.