Is it safe to travel to Guinea?

Travel Alert Status

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Travel Warnings

Exercise increased caution in Guinea due to elections and civil unrest.

Country Summary: Legislative elections and a constitutional referendum vote are scheduled for March 1, 2020. Demonstrations occur frequently throughout the country and are expected to increase before and after the balloting. Protests are sporadic and unplanned, making it difficult to predict the size, route, or level of violence or congestion that may occur. Recent demonstrations throughout Middle Guinea, which includes Labe, Mamou, Pita, and Dalaba, have been particularly violent.

Any demonstration may turn violent, resulting in injuries and even fatalities. Demonstrators may attack vehicles that attempt to pass through or around the protests, resulting in serious injuries and vehicular damage. Criminals are known to take advantage of the resulting traffic congestion to rob drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Uniformed security forces may also extort drivers and passengers during these incidents.

Read the Safety and Security section on the Country Information page.

If you decide to travel to Guinea:

Avoid demonstrations and crowds.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.

Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.

Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance

Safety and Security

Guinea’s first democratically elected President was inaugurated in December 2010. The presidential election was supposed to be followed by timely elections for the national legislature, but these were repeatedly delayed, which led to frustration and anger among some groups. The frustration and anger has, on occasion, engendered demonstrations and protests, some of which have become violent and have included loss of life. In addition, electricity outages have exacerbated unrest and led to demonstrations in some neighborhoods. In both cases, demonstrators attempted to block traffic and caused property damage. Travelers should note that even the most disciplined demonstration can devolve into unpredictable, scattered, independent actions. While the embassy attempts to alert U.S. citizens in the country to potential safety and security events in advance, this is not always possible with fast-breaking developments.

Since 2010, discipline among security forces, including elements of the army, gendarmerie, and police, has been good. Before 2011, the U.S. government would not permit minor children of U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. Embassy to be stationed with their parent(s) in Guinea. These restrictions for U.S. citizen minors have since been lifted. There are currently no restrictions on the travel of U.S. citizen employees of the Embassy within Guinea.

While not specifically targeted, U.S. citizens have been victims of crime. Motorists traveling outside of Conakry have encountered improvised checkpoint-barricades manned by persons in military uniforms who demand money and search through personal belongings, confiscating items of value. On rare occasions, persons, including U.S. citizens, have reported abusive treatment by security forces and being taken into custody for purposes of extortion.

Civilian groups occasionally stage impromptu strikes or demonstrations, a practice which seems more likely when legislative elections occur. In some instances and in some locales, these demonstrations can involve violence. While U.S. citizens have not been targeted in past outbreaks of violence, being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be very dangerous. During periods of civil unrest, public services such as transportation and medical care, as well as the availability of goods and services, can be affected. During many demonstrations, crowds of people gather and burn tires, create roadblocks, and damage vehicles by throwing rocks and bricks. The military has also been known to demonstrate and incite unrest due to their grievances with the government. Because of the potential for violence, U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations. They should also avoid sensitive government installations, including the Presidential Palace, official government buildings, and military bases. U.S. citizens should maintain security awareness at all times.

Most border crossings are controlled jointly by Guinean armed forces, gendarmes, police, and immigration officials. A relatively long land border and the military’s lack of physical and monetary resources mean, however, that borders are lightly patrolled. U.S. citizens considering travel to the border regions with Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, or Côte d’Ivoire should consult the latest Travel Warnings and Country Specific Information for these countries. Crossing land borders requires visas and complete paperwork, and can be difficult.