the essential
At least dozens of people were killed this Sunday evening, December 1, in clashes between supporters and authorities during a football match in N'Zérékoré, in the south-east of Guinea.
“There are around a hundred dead. Bodies are lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital. Others are lying on the floor in the corridors. The morgue is full,” a doctor from the hospital told AFP. the regional hospital without revealing his identity because he was not authorized to speak. “There are dozens of deaths,” according to another medical source.
The government remained silent on Sunday evening about the tragedy.
“It all started from a challenge to a decision by the referee [sifflant un penalty à l’équipe locale face à Labé]. Supporters then invaded the playing area,” reported a witness, speaking on condition of anonymity for his safety. According to various testimonies, the police then responded with tear gas, causing crowd movements leading to to the tragedy – even if the circumstances remain to be clarified.
Tournament dedicated to the head of the junta
According to the local press, it was the final of a tournament dedicated to the head of the junta, General Mamadi Doumbouya, who came to power after a coup d'état in September 2021 and who has since become president.
Such tournaments have proliferated in recent weeks in Guinea, in what is seen as support for a possible candidacy of Mr. Doumbouya in the next presidential election.
