Tragedy struck in N’Zérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, as clashes between football fans on Sunday left dozens dead and many others injured. Local hospital sources described the aftermath as “mass carnage,” with bodies overflowing from the hospital and morgue.
“There are around 100 dead,” said a doctor on condition of anonymity. Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes outside the match, with bodies strewn on the ground.
The violence reportedly began after a controversial referee decision led fans to invade the pitch. Angry demonstrators later vandalized and set fire to the local police station, according to eyewitness accounts.
The match was part of a tournament honoring Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power in a 2021 coup and has since positioned himself as president. Such tournaments have become frequent as political alliances shift ahead of anticipated elections.
Doumbouya, who initially pledged a return to civilian rule by the end of 2024, has extended the transition timeline to 2025. Meanwhile, his government faces accusations of suppressing dissent, detaining opposition figures, and curtailing freedoms.
Despite Guinea’s wealth in natural resources, it remains one of the poorest nations globally, plagued by decades of authoritarian rule. N’Zérékoré, a city of about 200,000, has often been a flashpoint for political and social unrest.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the clashes, as the nation grapples with this devastating incident.
