Represetational image (Reuters Photo)

Clashes erupted at a football match in N’Zerekore, Guinea, on Sunday, leaving many dead.
According to hospital sources quoted by AFP, “There are bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital. Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full.”
“There are around 100 dead”, said one doctor, while another said there were “dozens of dead”.
According to witnesses, the anger was fueled by a referee’s decision that was contested, after which the fans invaded the pitch and later also set the N’Zerekore police station on fire.
Media reports indicated that the game was organised as part of a tournament dedicated to Guinea’s current president and junta chief, Mamadi Doumbouya, who took control through a coup in 2021.
In Guinea, these tournaments have become increasingly prevalent as Doumbouya appears to be positioning himself for the anticipated presidential elections next year, whilst political alignments continue to develop.
In September 2021, Doumbouya, then serving as a colonel, led a successful coup against President Alpha Conde. Ironically, Conde had previously appointed Doumbouya to lead an elite unit responsible for protecting the president from such takeovers.
Despite international demands and his initial commitment to transfer authority to civilian leadership by December 2024, Doumbouya has since reversed his stance and indicated he will retain power.