In a tragic incident during a football match in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, several people lost their lives amid clashes between fans, according to hospital sources.
AFP which reported that healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with casualties due to the clash, wrote that a doctor in Guinea, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, reported seeing numerous bodies both in the hospital and the morgue, stating, “There are around 100 dead.”
Another medical professional echoed the concern, mentioning “dozens of dead,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
Videos shared on social media depict chaotic scenes outside the match, with many bodies visible on the ground, although these clips have not been independently verified.
Witnesses noted that tensions escalated following a disputed referee decision, which led fans to storm the pitch. In the aftermath, protesters reacted by vandalizing and setting fire to the N’Zerekore police station.
The match was reportedly part of a tournament organized in honour of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who came to power through a coup in 2021. Such events have become more frequent as Doumbouya appears to be positioning himself for an expected run in the presidential elections next year amid shifting political alliances.
Doumbouya’s ascent to power in Guinea followed the overthrow of President Alpha Conde, who had placed him in charge of an elite protective force. Despite his initial commitment to return governance to a civilian authority by the end of 2024, Doumbouya has since indicated he may extend military control.
Recently, he elevated his military rank from lieutenant general to general, a move that reflects ongoing consolidation of power. However, his leadership has faced criticism for an ongoing crackdown on dissent, with many opposition figures detained or forced into exile.
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