A devastating clash between rival football fans in N’Zerekore, Guinea, has left over 100 people dead.
The incident occurred during a football match on Sunday, plunging the southeastern city into chaos.
According to a hospital source, the scene was described as “horrific,” with bodies strewn across both the hospital and the morgue.
One doctor, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the morgue was overwhelmed.
“There are around 100 dead,” the doctor said grimly.
Witnesses report that the violence was sparked by a disputed referee decision during the match.
Fans stormed the pitch in anger, escalating tensions into a deadly confrontation.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the violence did not end at the stadium.
Angry protesters later targeted the local police station, setting it on fire.
“It started with a referee’s call, and then everything spiraled out of control,” one witness explained.
Political Tensions Behind the Match
The match was part of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya.
Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, ousting President Alpha Conde.
Since then, he has positioned himself as Guinea’s president, despite promises of a return to civilian rule.
The tournament was seen by many as a political strategy, with Doumbouya hinting at a presidential run in upcoming elections.
Supporters of the junta leader have openly backed his candidacy, despite legal barriers.
A “transitional charter” issued by the junta prohibits members from running for office, but Doumbouya’s intentions remain unclear.
In recent months, Doumbouya has taken steps to consolidate power, including promoting himself to army general.
This move has fueled speculation about his political ambitions and raised tensions in the country.
A Nation Struggling Amid Crisis
Guinea, despite its vast natural resources, remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
The nation has a long history of authoritarian rule and political instability.
Doumbouya’s rise to power mirrors similar coups in West Africa, including in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
These nations have seen a wave of military takeovers since 2020, leading to uncertainty across the region.
Under pressure from the international community, Doumbouya pledged to hold elections by the end of 2024.
However, authorities have now pushed the date to 2025, further delaying the return to democratic governance.
N’Zerekore, with a population of about 200,000 people, is reeling from the tragedy.
Families are mourning their loved ones as hospitals struggle to manage the influx of casualties.
