The final of the “General Mamadi Doumbouya” trophy, a tournament organized in support of the leader of the junta, between the N'Zérékoré team and that of Labé, turned into carnage on Sunday December 1st. No official report has been communicated but there are fears of dozens of deaths following clashes following a disputed penalty whistled at the end of the game by the referee.
Absolute horror. Clashes between fans during a football match on Sunday left at least dozens dead in N'Zérékoré, in southeastern Guinea, medical sources said. The meeting pitted N'Zérékoré against Labé, 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.
“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,” said a doctor at the regional hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Angry supporters vandalized and set fire to the N'Zérékoré police station, according to witnesses. “It all started from a challenge to a decision by the referee. Supporters then invaded the playing area,” said a witness, speaking on condition of anonymity for his safety.
Many inert bodies visible on videos
In videos broadcast on social networks and whose authenticity AFP was unable to verify, we see numerous inert bodies. Other videos circulating on the networks show scenes of great confusion in the streets following the outbreak of clashes.
Such tournaments have proliferated in recent weeks in Guinea, in what are seen as events in support of a possible candidacy of General Mamadi Doumbouya in the next presidential election. He initially committed, under international pressure, to give way to elected civilians before the end of 2024, before reversing his decision.
