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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Guinea International Parental Child Abduction Information

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Guinea International Parental Child Abduction Information

Guinea

Guinea
Republic of Guinea
Exercise increased caution in Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, and limited health infrastructure. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

There were no changes to the advisory level or indicators. The advisory summary was updated.

Exercise increased caution in Guinea due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure.

Advisory summary

Restrictions on U.S. Government Personnel Movement
U.S. government employees working in Guinea are prohibited from traveling between cities at night due to safety risks.

Crime
Crimes of opportunity are common in Guinea, especially in Conakry. Typical incidents include pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft from vehicles, assaults, and residential burglaries. Travelers should be especially alert in crowded areas, such as markets.

Unrest
Demonstrations and protests have occurred without warning in Guinea and sometimes result in violence. These events can develop around political issues, large events, or holidays. Security forces may use tear gas and gunfire to disperse crowds. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and essential services.

Health
Guinea’s health infrastructure is limited. Access to necessary healthcare may not be available. Health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Local drinking water is unsafe. Pharmacies are not well regulated, and locally available medications may be unsafe.

If you decide to travel to Guinea:

  • Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches, jewelry, or phones.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
  • Exercise caution when walking or driving at night.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Ask permission prior to taking pictures of government buildings.
  • Check with your doctor about required vaccines and shots for high-risk exposure before you go to Guinea. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Guinea.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate.  Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Guinea.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Guinea.
  • Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
  • We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /


U.S. Embassy Conakry, Guinea
The U.S. Embassy is located in Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle near Bambeto Circle at the following address:
P.O. Box 603
Transversale No. 2
Centre Administratif de Koloma
Commune de Ratoma Conakry, Republic of Guinea
Telephone: +(224) 655-10-4000
Emergency after-hours telephone: +(224) 657-10-4311
Fax: +(224) 655-10-42-97
Email: Conconakry@state.govEmail: Conconakry@state.gov

For information concerning travel to Guinea, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Guinea.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

 

Guinea acceded to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) on February 1, 2012; however, the United States and Guinea are not yet treaty partners.  Until Guinea and the United States establish a treaty relationship per Article 38 of the Convention, parents whose children have been abducted from the United States to Guinea or wrongfully retained in Guinea are unable to invoke the Convention to pursue their children’s return or to seek access to them.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  The government of Guinea does not maintain online information about custody, visitation, and family law.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Guinea and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction.  For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child.  The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Website: Childabduction.state.gov

Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction is a crime in Guinea under Code de L’Enfant Section 2, Chapter 4, Section 4. 

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court.  Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information. 

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Guinea and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.   Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy in Guinea for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Guinea are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law. 

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

U.S. Department of State is not aware of any government agencies or non-governmental organizations that offer mediation programs. 

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: February 3, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Conakry
The U.S. Embassy is located in Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle near Bambeto Circle at the following address:
American Embassy Conakry
P.O. Box 603
Transversale No. 2
Centre Administratif de Koloma
Commune de Ratoma Conakry, Republic of Guinea
Telephone
+(224) 655-10-4000
Emergency
+(224) 657-10-4311
Fax
+(224) 655-10-42-97
Email
Conconakry@state.gov
Website
https://gn.usembassy.gov/

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