Guinea. Economic analysis

Security risks: 4.00
Guinea is prone to political unrest, which can swiftly develop into violent demonstrations or rioting. Although this latent threat may not directly affect foreign personnel, that of violent crime does. Foreigners have been the targets of muggings.

Key Security Issues and Areas to Avoid

Avoid Border Regions: Bandits are known to operate in the border regions with Sierra Leone and Liberia, and would be best avoided by foreign nationals. Four-wheel drive vehicles are a particular favourite for bandits.
Petty Crime is a Problem, Particularly in the Capital: Be careful with belongings - do not carry valuables in a way that leaves them in full display. Caution is advisable at all times, particularly at night.

Crime

Guinea has a serious problem with crime and foreigners, who are perceived as wealthy, often become targets. There is a high risk of muggings and armed robbery, particularly in the capital Conakry. Foreigners travelling to the border regions with Liberia and Sierra Leone may fall prey to bandits and are especially vulnerable at the airport, markets and vicinities surrounding hotels and restaurants. In an effort to curb urban crime, the government has imposed an unofficial curfew in major towns between 24:00 and 06:00, which are policed with roadblocks. However, armed criminals have also been known to set up roadblocks as well. There is no organised crime as such, yet bribery and corruption are an accepted feature of doing business at any level.

Extortion

There have been incidences of foreign nationals being drawn into illegal business scams. Those considering undertaking operations in the country would be advised to make thorough investigations. Governments of foreign nationals have only limited powers to assist businesses that have been lured into illegal deals.

Kidnapping

There is little threat posed by kidnapping.

Terrorism

There are no terrorist groups currently active in Guinea.

Political and Ethnic Violence

Guinea is prone to political unrest, which can swiftly develop into violent demonstrations or rioting. Conakry is usually the focal point of these tensions, but large towns throughout the country are also affected. Foreign personnel are in no way targeted, but should avoid political rallies, stay off the streets and out of sight until the tension blows over. During the presidential elections in December 1998, Conakry was wracked with violent demonstrations and rioting for over a week. The border regions with Liberia and Sierra Leone are also susceptible to instability from these countries. Bandits are known to operate in these regions. Guinea is vulnerable to destabilisation through events in any one of its volatile neighbouring countries (Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea Bissau). Currently, Guinea is 'home' to 600,000 officially registered refugees, with around the same number again thought to be residing illegally in the country. In August 2000, the number of refugees arriving from Sierra Leone reached a high of 2,500 in one week. Refugees are a heavy burden for low-income hosts such as Guinea and could lead to internal frictions between residents and refugee communities.

External Threats

The security situation has continued to worsen since July 2000, with cross-border attacks and accusations increasing in frequency and severity, and refugees increasingly a target for abuse. In recent developments, 35 Guineans and one UN worker were killed in rebel raids in September 2000 in Macenta, near the Liberian border, close to the reportedly rebel-held Liberian town of Voinjama. Liberian refugees in Guinea have claimed maltreatment and the Guinean government forbade Liberian planes landing permits to repatriate refugees. Liberia has responded by stating that it cannot guarantee the safety of Guinean nationals in Liberia. In an unprecedented show of solidarity, the defence ministers from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia met in Mali. Their meeting concluded that unless the cross-border raids stopped, military observers drawn from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would be deployed in the area. Liberia continues to be wracked by instability, which has escalated since peace was sealed in Sierra Leone with elections in 2002. Moreover, the recent upsurge in the activities of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel movement has led to a further worsening of relations with Liberia: Liberian President Charles Taylor accuses Lansana Conte of backing the group and seeking to depose him.

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