Last Updated:
October 18, 2007 14:02
EDT
Still Valid:
November 15, 2007 23:33
EST
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1. RECENT UPDATES
The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.
A minor editorial change was made in Section 2.
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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Guinea
Guinea is experiencing a large-scale movement of military protests in Conakry and in other cities. Soldiers are demanding unpaid salary arrears and are accusing senior officers of embezzlement. Dissatisfaction on the part of Guinean soldiers led to violent revolts in May 2007. Recently, soldiers threatened to stage further protests if their demands are not met.
Canadians in affected cities should be cautious. Public disturbances could break out throughout the country at any time. Canadians should avoid large crowds and public areas where violence could take place, monitor news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Regional Warning(IDW11)
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the areas bordering Liberia, Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire, where continued cross-border military and rebel activity makes the general security situation difficult. Instability prevalent in neighbouring countries, as well as armed banditry, cause tensions and hostilities in these areas. There is a risk of renewed inter-ethnic violence in and around the town of N'Zérékoré, in Guinea Forestière. The border with Côte d'Ivoire is closely monitored by local authorities and the army.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense.
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
In the event of a strike, shops could close for long periods with little warning. Canadians in Guinea should ensure they maintain stores of food, water and emergency supplies sufficient to last 3 to 4 days.
In Conakry, petty criminals, often employing children, are particularly active in the Madina, Niger, and Taouyah markets. Armed robbery, assaults, and burglary also occur. Foreigners may be targeted. Do not show signs of affluence. You should exercise caution in airports and hotels, where offers of unsolicited assistance may come from persons seeking an opportunity to steal luggage, purses, or wallets. Elaborate scams involving gems occur.
There have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from western Africa, including Guinea. For more information, see section 12 of this report.
Power failures are frequent throughout the country and may affect security conditions, especially in large urban centres. Tourist facilities are limited outside the capital.
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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Guinean authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on May 25, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Guinea. The passport must be valid for at least the duration of the stay. Canadians must also obtain a visa prior to their departure for Guinea.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Transit Visa: Required
Diplomatic or Special Passport: Visa required
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of travellers arriving from infected areas.
Canadians entering Guinea by air must arrive in Conakry. Those arriving by private or chartered aircraft or by helicopter must not enter Guinean airspace unless written overflight and landing confirmation has been obtained from the Guinean authorities. Even with this authority, the flight must first stop in Conakry. Failure to follow these procedures may result in the aircraft being fired upon and confiscated, and travellers will also face a lengthy stay in Guinea.
There is an airport departure tax, which may not be included in the price of the plane ticket. Please check with your air carrier.
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
There is no resident Canadian government office in Guinea. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Senegal - DAKAR, Embassy of Canada
Address: corner of Galliéni and Amadou Cissé Dia Streets, Dakar, Senegal
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3373, Dakar,
Tel.: 221 33-889-47-00
Fax: 221 33-889-47-20
E-Mail: dakar@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.dakar.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Dakar and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 (collect call).
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.
The use of drugs is illegal and punishable by law.
A licence is required to export precious gems. Penalties are heavy for those involved in smuggling, particularly when diamonds and other gems are involved.
Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in the country’s customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Visitors should dress conservatively (e.g., women should wear a headscarf and also cover their arms and legs). Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. The use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited. Transgressions could be punished by detention or other penalties.
Homosexual activity is illegal.
Videotaping and photography are forbidden in many parts of the country and should be restricted to private gatherings. You must obtain permission from the Guinean government before photographing military and transportation facilities, government buildings, or public works.
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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
Driving habits, the lack of road and traffic signs, poorly maintained vehicles and roads, pedestrians, and livestock pose hazards. In the event of an accident, you should proceed to the nearest police station or medical facility, as roadside assistance and ambulance services are not available. Overland travel outside major centres should be undertaken during daylight hours with a four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with water, spare tires and a means of communication. We recommend travel by convoy. Road travel outside the capital may be difficult during the rainy season (see section 5 below).
Army or other roadblocks may be encountered at any time, including in and around Conakry, particularly after dark. Payment may be requested by roadblock authorities. You should avoid travelling after dark. It is advisable to carry the following documents and equipment to avoid unnecessary problems: copies of identity papers (passport and visa), vaccination record, vehicle registration (grey card), valid driver's licence, proof of road insurance, vehicle safety check certificate, reflective hazard triangle, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
Guinea has no public transportation. Airline companies offer regular links from Conakry to the cities of Kankan, Siguiri, Labé and N’zérékoré.
As elsewhere along the coasts of Africa, piracy can occur in Guinean coastal waters. Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau.
The currency is the Guinean franc (GNF). The economy is cash-based. The import or export of local currency is prohibited. There are no limits on the import of foreign currency, but it should be declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. It is recommended that travellers carry no more than 10,000 FG (about C$10) upon departure from Guinea. ABMs are not available. Credit cards are rarely accepted. Traveller's cheques in USD are accepted only at banks and some hotels.
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8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The rainy season extends from June to November. Roads may become impassable during this period. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
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9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently monitoring an increase in cholera activity in West Africa. Further information on cholera and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site.
The PHAC is following the incidence of meningitis in and around the African meningitis belt. This belt extends from Guinea to Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and western Eritrea in the east. Epidemics most often occur during the dry season (December to June) in this region. Since the mid-1990s, meningitis has occurred on an unprecedented scale and has spread beyond the usual boundaries. Additional information and health recommendations concerning meningitis can be obtained through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical facilities are limited and medicines are scarce in Conakry and throughout the country.
Water used for consumption should be boiled first or otherwise sterilized. You should also take measures to reduce the risk of insect bites.
As the level of HIV/AIDS infection in Guinea is high, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.
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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to Canada
Traveller's Checklist
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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12. ANNEX
There have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from western Africa, including Guinea. Any unsolicited business proposal should be carefully scrutinized. Usually, the con artist sends an e-mail, or letter, offering a substantial percentage of a large sum of money to be transferred into your account in return for your "discretion" or "confidentiality". These messages often claim that the soliciting party has personal ties to senior officials. You, as the bank account owner, are promised a percentage of the huge sum, just for allowing the use of your account. You may be asked to provide blank, signed invoices, letterhead, and bank account information, or to send money for transfer taxes. Some businesses have found their accounts looted by the persons to whom they sent account information.
Should you receive such an e-mail or letter, please contact one of the organizations listed below.
CONTACT INFORMATION
International Trade Canada
Africa and Middle East Trade Division
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2 Ask for the Commercial Officer responsible for Guinea at (613) 944-4000. If you already have a contact name, you can also fax your request at (613) 996-9709.
Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
483 Wilbrod Street
Ottawa, ON
K1N 6N1
Tel.: 613-789-8444
Fax: 613-789-7560
Commercial Crime Branch
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1200 Vanier Parkway
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0R2
Tel.: 613-991-4331
Fax: 613-993-4299
PhoneBusters National Call Centre
P.O. Box 686
North Bay, ON
P1B 8J8
Tel.: 1 888 495-8501 or 705-495-8501
Fax: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-494-4755
Website: http://www.phonebusters.com/
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