Dozens Killed in Violent Clashes During Football Match in Guinea

Dozens of people were killed on Sunday in violent clashes between football fans in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, according to hospital sources. The violence erupted during a match, with reports describing scenes of widespread carnage. One doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that around 100 bodies were taken to the local hospital, with many more filling the morgue and corridors. Another source confirmed that there were dozens of fatalities, as videos shared on social media, though unverified, showed chaotic scenes outside the stadium with bodies lying on the ground.

Angry protesters also vandalized and set fire to the local police station in response to the violence. Witnesses said the unrest started after a controversial decision by the referee, which led to fans storming the pitch. The match was reportedly part of a tournament organized to honor Guinea’s junta leader, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, who came to power in a 2021 coup. This tournament is one of many such events taking place as Doumbouya aims to build political support ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.

Doumbouya, who took power by force in September 2021, had promised to return the country to civilian rule by the end of 2024. However, he has since indicated that he will not keep this pledge. His leadership has been marked by a crackdown on dissent, with many opposition figures detained, exiled, or brought before the courts. Despite a transitional charter prohibiting junta members from running for office, Doumbouya’s supporters have expressed backing for his candidacy in the 2025 election, signaling a potential shift in the country’s political landscape.

N’Zerekore, located in southeastern Guinea, has a population of approximately 200,000 people.