Dozens have been killed in clashes during a football match in Guinea

Dozens of people were killed on Sunday in clashes between football fans in N'Zerekore, Guinea's second-largest city, according to hospital sources who described scenes of mass carnage. 

"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," one doctor, who spoke anonymously, told AFP. He estimated that "around 100" people had died, with bodies filling both the local hospital and morgue. Another doctor confirmed there were "dozens" of fatalities.

Videos circulating on social media, which AFP was unable to immediately verify, showed chaotic scenes outside the match and numerous bodies on the ground.

Angry demonstrators also vandalized and set fire to the N'Zerekore police station, according to witnesses.

The violence reportedly began after a controversial referee decision, leading fans to invade the pitch, a witness said, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.

Local media reported that the match was part of a tournament held in honor of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who came to power in a 2021 coup and now serves as president. These tournaments have become common as Doumbouya positions himself for a potential presidential run in upcoming elections, while political alliances continue to form.

Doumbouya ousted President Alpha Conde in September 2021, after which he assumed power. Despite international pressure to return to civilian rule by the end of 2024, Doumbouya has indicated he will not do so. He recently promoted himself to lieutenant general in January and, last month, to army general.

Under his rule, there has been a crackdown on opposition, with many leaders detained, put on trial, or forced into exile. Although the junta’s "transitional charter" initially prohibited its members from running in elections, Doumbouya’s supporters have recently expressed backing for his presidential candidacy.

Authorities have said elections to restore constitutional order will take place in 2025. Despite its rich natural resources, Guinea remains impoverished and has been under authoritarian rule for decades.

Doumbouya is one of several military leaders in West Africa to have seized power since 2020, alongside those in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

N'Zerekore, where the violence occurred, has a population of around 200,000.