At least 56 people have been killed following violent clashes during a football match that resulted in a stampede in N’Zerekore, the second-largest city in Guinea, according to government reports. The government stated on Monday that supporters’ stone-throwing in protests over refereeing decisions resulted in the deadly stampedes during the match held on Sunday. Hospital services confirmed the provisional death toll at 56. The violence erupted during a Sunday afternoon match in N’Zerekore, a city of approximately 200,000 residents, when rival fans stormed the field after a dissatisfactory referee decision, as reported by Guineenews.
Earlier, health officials cited by AFP mentioned that the death toll was in the dozens. “There are bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital,” a doctor reported. “Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full.” Guinea’s Prime Minister Bah Oury condemned the violence and called for calm in a statement on X, promising that the government would provide further information once it had gathered all relevant details.
The clashes began when supporters of the visiting team, Labe, threw stones onto the pitch in protest of a referee’s decision, prompting police to respond with tear gas, according to local news outlet Mediaguinee. Subsequently, angry demonstrators vandalized and set fire to the N’Zerekore police station, as reported by Guineenews. A witness recounted, “It all started with a contested decision by the referee. Then fans invaded the pitch.” This match was part of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power through a coup in 2021 and has since positioned himself as president.
Read Also: Philippines VP Denies Plot to Kill President
Background
Such tournaments have become increasingly common in Guinea as Doumbouya appears to be positioning himself for a potential presidential run next year. The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy (ANAD), a coalition of opposition parties, criticized the tournament, labeling it an attempt to further Doumbouya’s “illegal and inappropriate candidacy.” Doumbouya seized power in September 2021 by overthrowing President Alpha Conde, who had placed him in charge of an elite force meant to protect the head of state. Under international pressure, Doumbouya promised to return power to a civilian government by the end of 2024 but has since indicated he will not follow through on that commitment.
In January, Doumbouya promoted himself to lieutenant general and last month elevated himself to army general. He has overseen a crackdown on dissent, resulting in many opposition leaders being detained, brought before courts, or forced into exile. A transitional charter established by the military rulers after the coup stated that no military member could stand for national or local elections. However, Doumbouya’s supporters have recently voiced their backing for his candidacy in upcoming presidential elections. At the end of September, authorities announced that elections aimed at restoring constitutional order would take place in 2025. Doumbouya is among several military leaders who have seized power in West Africa since 2020, alongside leaders from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Source: Al Jazeera
