At least dozens of people were killed in violent clashes between fans at a football match in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, on Sunday, according to hospital sources.
Describing scenes of mass carnage, a doctor from the local hospital told journalists, “There are bodies lined up as far as the eye can see. Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full.”
Sources at the hospital reported that around 100 individuals may have died, with many bodies crowding the medical facilities. While the exact number remains unconfirmed, one doctor stated that “dozens” of people were confirmed dead. Videos circulating on social media showed disturbing scenes of chaos outside the stadium, with numerous bodies scattered across the ground. However, these videos have not been independently verified.
As tensions escalated, angry demonstrators stormed and set fire to the N’Zerekore police station, according to witnesses on the ground. A local witness recounted, “It all started with a contested decision by the referee. Then, fans invaded the pitch.”
The match was reportedly part of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power in a military coup in 2021. The tournament had sparked rising political tensions, as Doumbouya, who is rumored to be positioning himself for a presidential bid, seeks to strengthen his influence ahead of the upcoming elections.
Guinea has been under military rule since September 2021, when Doumbouya overthrew the country’s democratically elected president, Alpha Conde. Despite earlier pledges to return the country to civilian rule by the end of 2024, Doumbouya has shown no intention of stepping down. In January, he promoted himself to lieutenant general, and in November, he was further elevated to the rank of army general.
As Guinea faces internal political unrest and ongoing economic challenges, Doumbouya has faced growing scrutiny for his authoritarian rule and an ongoing crackdown on political dissent. Many opposition leaders have been detained, while others have sought exile.
The football violence erupted in N’Zerekore, located in the southeastern part of Guinea, a region with a population of about 200,000. The city has seen growing tensions in recent years as the political climate continues to sour, with much of the population struggling under the weight of both economic hardship and political instability.
Guinea’s struggle with poverty, despite its significant natural resources, highlights the severe challenges the country faces under military rule. Doumbouya’s rule is part of a broader trend of military takeovers across West Africa, with other coups occurring in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.
