Guinea Declares National Mourning for Victims of Nzérékoré Football Stampede

Authorities in Guinea have declared three days of national mourning to remember the 56 people who died at a stampede at a football match in Nzérékoré, in the country’s southeast region. The incident occurred on Sunday during the final match of a local tournament held in honour of the country’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya

 General Mamadi Doumbouya

According to eyewitnesses, the chaos began after a controversial refereeing decision led to clashes between fans. Supporters of the visiting team, Labé, reportedly hurled stones onto the pitch, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas to restore order. This action triggered panic among the crowd, leading to a deadly stampede as fans tried to flee the stadium.

Fans climbing a section of the stadium wall to escape the violence

Local media reported that several children were among the victims, and many of the injured remain in critical condition. Videos from the scene showed fans in one section of the stadium shouting and protesting before the situation escalated into violence.

On Monday, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah expressed his condolences and called for calm, stating that the government is investigating to determine those responsible for the tragedy.

The tournament was organised to celebrate the leadership of Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in 2021. The event was intended to foster unity and support for the military government. However, the National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, an opposition coalition, has called for a thorough investigation. The group described the tournament as a political manoeuvre by the military leader to bolster his position ahead of the upcoming elections next year.

In recent months, tensions have been rising in the country following the disappearance of political activists Oumar Sylla, also known as Foniké Mengué, and Mamadou Billo Bah, who were abducted from their homes by masked men in military uniforms. The government has denied responsibility for the abductions.

The activists had been advocating for the junta to fulfil its promise of handing power to a civilian president by the end of this year. After heavy criticism, on Monday, the junta announced it has banned all gatherings or movement in support of Mr Doumbouya.