SUMMARY

Clashes took place between the Konianke and Kpelle ethnic groups in mid-July 2013 in the southern Nzérékoré region of Guinea. The violence erupted after a man accused of being a thief, was lynched. Security forces were sent to the area to end the violence and more than 100 people were arrested.

The violence took place during a tense preparation period for the delayed national elections.

The Kpelle is the dominant group in the southeastern part of Guinea. The majority of them are Muslims, while about 40 % adhere to Christianity. The Konianke people are mainly Muslims and come from further north but have settled in the southern region.

The non-state conflict between Konianke and Kpelle is first included in UCDP data in 2013. On 17 July 2013, violent clashes between the two ethnic groups resulted in 98 battle-related deaths.