At each other's throats: Konianke and Guerze clashes in Guinea's Forest Region

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the causes and consequences of violent inter-communal clashes between the Konianké and Guerzé communities in Guinea's Forest Region, specifically focusing on events in July 2013.

• Violent clashes between the Guerzé and Konianké communities occurred for three days starting 15 July 2013, centered in N’Zérékoré and surrounding areas. The unrest began in Koulé, 45km from N’Zérékoré, after a Guerzé security guard killed a Konianké youth. The violence resulted in at least 100 deaths and the destruction of property, including mosques and churches.
• The conflicts are rooted in disputes over land and citizenship, driven by a distinction between 'indigenous' Forestière groups (such as the Kissi, Toma, Guerzé, Mano, and Kono) and the Konianké, who are often viewed as outsiders. Tensions are further exacerbated by religious differences, as most Konianké are Muslims while many Forestière are Christians or traditional religious followers.
• Historical political policies and national leadership have aggravated regional tensions. President Sékou Touré's 'mise en valeur' rules allowed Konianké to farm the Forest Region, marginalizing Forestière communities. Later, President Lansana Conté fanned resentment by framing the Konianké as supporters of opposition leader Alpha Condé due to shared Malinké ethnicity.
• Regional instability from wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire has increased the availability of weapons and experienced fighters in the Forest Region. Groups such as the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO), Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), and the Sierra Leonean Kamajor militia had a presence in the area, contributing to the escalation of communal clashes into gun battles.
• The violence may influence Guinean national politics, potentially affecting the 2013 parliamentary elections and the 2015 presidential elections if Forestière communities withdraw support from President Alpha Condé's Rally of the People of Guinea (RPG) in favor of Cellou Diallo’s Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG).

APA

Toupou, K. (2013). At each other's throats: Konianke and Guerze clashes in Guinea's Forest Region. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/at-each-others-throats-konianke-and-guerze-clashes-in-guineas-forest-region

Chicago

Toupou, Koya. At each other's throats: Konianke and Guerze clashes in Guinea's Forest Region. Institute for Security Studies, 2013. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/at-each-others-throats-konianke-and-guerze-clashes-in-guineas-forest-region.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Toupou |first1=Koya |title=At each other's throats: Konianke and Guerze clashes in Guinea's Forest Region |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=11 September 2013 |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/at-each-others-throats-konianke-and-guerze-clashes-in-guineas-forest-region |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{toupou2013each, author = {Toupou, Koya}, title = {{At each other's throats: Konianke and Guerze clashes in Guinea's Forest Region}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/at-each-others-throats-konianke-and-guerze-clashes-in-guineas-forest-region}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }