A hospital source described the scenes as horrific, with bodies lining the floors of both the hospital and the morgue.
At least 100 people were killed in violent clashes between rival football fans during a match in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, on Sunday.
A hospital source described the scenes as horrific, with bodies lining the floors of both the hospital and the morgue.
One doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the morgue had reached full capacity, with additional bodies strewn across hallways.
“There are around 100 dead,” the doctor reported.
Angry protesters also vandalized and set fire to the N’Zerekore police station, according to eyewitness accounts.
A witness, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told AFP, “It all started with a disputed referee decision. Then fans stormed the pitch.”
Local media reported that the match was part of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power in a 2021 coup and has positioned himself as the country’s president.
These tournaments have become increasingly common in Guinea as Doumbouya hints at running in the upcoming presidential elections and as political alliances begin to form.
Doumbouya came to power by force in September 2021, ousting President Alpha Conde, who had appointed Doumbouya to head an elite force tasked with protecting the president from such coups.
Under international pressure, Doumbouya pledged to return the country to civilian rule by the end of 2024 but has since indicated that he will not fulfill this promise.
In January, Doumbouya “exceptionally” promoted himself to lieutenant general, and just last month, he further elevated himself to the rank of army general.
The junta leader has overseen a crackdown on dissent, with numerous opposition leaders arrested, brought to court, or forced into exile.
A “transitional charter” issued by the junta after the coup stated that no junta member could run in national or local elections.
However, Doumbouya’s supporters have recently voiced their backing for his candidacy in the upcoming presidential race.
In late September, authorities announced that elections to restore constitutional order would be held in 2025.
Despite its wealth of natural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest nations in the world, with a long history of authoritarian rule.
Doumbouya is among several military leaders who have taken power across West Africa since 2020, including those in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The clashes took place in N’Zerekore, located in Guinea’s southeastern region, which has a population of approximately 200,000 people.
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