At least 56 people were killed on Sunday in south-eastern Guinea in “deadly stampedes” following protests by supporters of refereeing decisions during a football match, in N'Zérékoré, in the south. eastern Guinea, the government said in a statement on Monday.
“The demonstrations of dissatisfaction with the arbitration decisions led to stone throwing by supporters, causing deadly stampedes,” the government said in this press release published at the bottom of the national television screen.
“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.
A tournament dedicated to the head of the junta
In videos posted on social networks whose authenticity could not be verified, we see numerous inert bodies. Other videos circulating on the networks show scenes of great confusion in the streets following the outbreak of clashes. The government remained silent on the tragedy on Sunday evening.
“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.
According to the press, it was a tournament dedicated to the head of the junta, General Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power after a coup d'état in September 2021 and who has since become president.
The head of the government dominated by the military in Guinea, Amadou Oury Bah, “deplored” this Monday the clashes which left dozens of dead and called for calm.
“The government deplores the incidents which marred the football match between the teams of Labé and N'Zérékoré,” he said on his Facebook page. “The government is monitoring developments in the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hampered in providing first aid to the injured,” he added, without providing details on the number of victims.
Such tournaments have proliferated in recent weeks in Guinea, in what is seen as support for Doumbouya's possible candidacy for the next presidential election.
