A crowd movement during a football match dedicated to the head of the junta that rules Guinea caused the death of at least 56 supporters on Sunday, the government said on Monday, with the opposition accusing the government of being “directly responsible for the tragedy.
The events in N’Zérékoré, first presented as clashes between supporters, were triggered by the expulsion of a player at the end of the game between the local club and that of Labé in the final of a tournament organized in the honor of the head of the junta, General Mamadi Doumbouya, witnesses said.
Supporters invaded the field. Witnesses indicate that some attacked the official platform, provoking the intervention of security forces.
“Demonstrations of dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions led to stone throwing by supporters, causing fatal stampedes”said the government in a press release read on national television.
“Hospital services report a provisional toll of 56 dead and several injured,” he adds, speaking of a “tragic event”.
He assures that care for the injured is “guaranteed” and “is committed to supporting the bereaved families”.
“The government assures (the) population that investigations will be carried out to establish responsibilities linked to this unfortunate event“, he said.
Young people set fire to a police station in the night, public television said.
“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”said Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah on his Facebook page.
Very heavy toll
Doctors reported to AFP on Sunday that at least dozens had died.
Many videos have circulated on social networks showing numerous inert bodies lying next to each other. They also show scenes of great confusion, with people running away near what appears to be the stadium.
Online media reported hospital services and a morgue saturated by the influx of injured people and bodies.
The events occurred during a tournament dedicated to the head of the junta, who forcibly overthrew civilian President Alpha Condé in September 2021 and has since been inaugurated president, the press reported.
Such football competitions, the number one sport in Guinea, and other popular or public gatherings have been organized for several weeks in what is widely considered to be a campaign to promote General Doumbouya’s candidacy for a future presidential election.
The opposition denounces
The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution, one of the last dissident voices still able to be heard in Guinea, expressed in a press release its “indignation” after the tragedy of N’Zérékoré.
The FNDC speaks of a “propaganda campaign”. He”tient Mamadi Doumbouya and his government (for) directly responsible for this disaster which cost the lives of innocent citizens, including many children”.
“This demonstrates a cynical exploitation of sport by the junta, exploiting these images of mobilization for political ends“, he adds.
He calls the Guineans “to mobilize, calmly, with determination, to demand the end of this regime as of December 31, 2024“.
The junta had initially committed, under international pressure, to give way to elected civilians before the end of 2024. It has since made it known that it would break its promise. Several supporters of Mr. Doumbouya recently said they were in favor of his presidential candidacy.
