20100208

CONAKRY (Reuters) - At least three people have been killed and dozens more wounded in clashes between Muslims and Christians in southeastern Guinea that have entered their third day, witnesses and officials said on Sunday.

Hours after officials said the situation appeared to have calmed down, residents of Nzerekore said soldiers were shooting into the air on Sunday afternoon to try to disperse roving mobs of people armed with machetes and knives.

The trouble appears to have been sparked by a religious dispute but the town is in the home region of wounded junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara, and there are fears the dispute in the world's top bauxite exporter may become politicised.

"We have been told of three dead," said Mamady Kaba, a local official with RADDHO, a pan-African rights group. "The victims are from the two communities. Some are carrying machetes and knives. One was burned alive."

"The conflict is between the Christian and Muslim communities there but it is starting to take on political dimensions. We need to make sure this situation doesn't get out of hand as it could be very dangerous for the country."

Kaba said that mostly Christian supporters of Camara appeared to be attacking Muslims in the town.

A police source said earlier on Sunday that at least one person had been killed in clashes that had taken place despite a curfew being imposed.

Residents reported gunfire for much of Saturday. The shooting started again late on Sunday after a lull.