Guinea travel advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK advises against all but essential travel to Guinea. The level of security in Guinea has remained uncertain since the coup in December 2008. Conakry is currently calm and the political situation is potentially volatile. A new Prime Minister was sworn in on 26 January 2010, and his government is due to manage a transition to elections in 2010.

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

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel