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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

International Parental Child Abduction

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Country Information

Guinea

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

Updated to reflect change in Travel Advisory from a Level 3 to a Level 2 and removing the “E” (time-limited event) indicator related to the catastrophic 2023 fuel depot explosion and its after-effects.

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

Country Summary: There is considerable risk of crimes of opportunity in Guinea, especially in Conakry, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft of valuables from vehicles, assaults, and residential burglaries. Travelers should be especially alert in crowded areas where people congregate, such as markets.

Demonstrations and protests occur unpredictably in Guinea and occasionally result in violence. If traveling outside the Conakry peninsula, make all efforts to complete your travel before nightfall. There are increased safety hazards and security concerns at night. U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission authority are restricted from traveling between cities after dark and are unable to provide emergency services at night.

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

Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Guinea.

  • If you decide to travel to Guinea:
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
  • Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Guinea.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
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Hague Convention Participation

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

What You Can Do

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


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

Guinea Map