Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday voiced deep concern over reported inter-ethnic clashes in Guinea and called for calm in the West African country, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
"The secretary-general is deeply concerned about reports of violent intercommunal clashes in southern Guinea, resulting in heavy loss of life and property," said a statement issued to the press here by Ban's spokesperson.
"The secretary-general calls for calm and urges Guineans to refrain from all acts likely to undermine peaceful coexistence among communities and human rights," said the statement.
In the statement, the UN chief urged national and community leaders in Guinea to ensure the security of persons and property, to uphold the rule of law and to pursue the path of dialogue with a view to addressing any concerns among the communities.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining conducive conditions for peaceful and democratic legislative elections on Sept.24, 2013, as scheduled.
According to reports, the death toll from the fighting that broke out on Sunday night in the administrative region of N' Zerekore in southern Guinea has risen to 54 and injuries have surpassed 100.
The clash followed an attempt by a Koniake youth who was trying to steal fuel from a gas station between Sunday night and Monday morning, Mayor of N'Zerekore Mamady Bamy said. The watchman guarding the gas station from the Guerze ethnic group shot at the suspected thief, killing him on the spot.
The news spread in N'Zerekore and the Koniake ethnic group mobilized is members to avenge the killing. The violence and increasing casualties prompted a curfew in town and neighboring villages to prevent further bloodshed.
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