Stampedes at a football match in N’Zerekore, Guinea, resulted in 56 fatalities. Protests against refereeing errors led to violence among supporters. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah condemned the incidents and called for calm as the government monitors the situation. The match was part of a tournament honoring junta leader Mamady Doumbouya, amidst a politically charged atmosphere ahead of impending elections.
Tragedy occurred in Guinea’s second-largest city, N’Zerekore, where stampedes at a football match claimed the lives of 56 individuals, as reported by the junta-led government. The chaos reportedly initiated from protests against refereeing decisions, leading to violence among supporters on Sunday. In a statement made public on national television, the government noted that hospital services had provided this provisional death toll. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah expressed his outrage over the incidents that overshadowed the match between Labe and N’Zerekore, underscoring the government’s vigilance in managing the aftermath and urging calm so that hospital services could efficiently aid the wounded. This particular match formed part of a tournament held in honor of the ruling junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power following a 2021 coup, indicating the ongoing tensions and the evolving political landscape in Guinea as presidential elections loom on the horizon.
The incidents at the football match in N’Zerekore highlight deeper societal issues in Guinea related to governance and civil unrest. The ruling junta, led by Mamady Doumbouya, has faced criticism for creating conditions that may lead to public dissatisfaction. Political tournaments organized under the current regime serve as both a strategy to bolster support for the junta and as a potential platform for upcoming presidential elections. Such events can exacerbate tensions among rival supporter bases, often resulting in violence.
In summary, the tragic stampedes during the football match in N’Zerekore demonstrate the volatile atmosphere surrounding political events in Guinea. With 56 fatalities reported, this situation underscores a pressing need for the government to prioritize public safety and address underlying tensions. The Prime Minister’s call for calm is particularly crucial as the country approaches critical electoral processes, where public discontent could potentially escalate further.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
