Dakar/Rabat – Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko will begin an official visit to Morocco on Monday, as diplomatic attention turns to the detention of Senegalese football fans following incidents at the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Background to the Visit
Eighteen Senegalese supporters remain in pre‑trial detention in Morocco, facing charges of hooliganism after the final match on January 18, which Senegal won 1-0 against Morocco after extra time.
Their trial opened last Thursday at a Rabat court but was postponed to January 29, prolonging uncertainty for the detained fans and their families.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Despite the tensions, Senegal and Morocco maintain cooperative relations across multiple sectors, including tourism, energy, infrastructure, and transport, and share strong religious ties.
Sonko’s trip will take place within the framework of a joint commission between the two states, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, according to Senegal’s foreign ministry.
A Moroccan-Senegalese economic forum is also planned for the occasion, the Moroccan news agency MAP reported.
Calls for Calm
King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed regret over the incidents, while Prime Minister Sonko has urged for tensions to be defused. Rival fans, however, have continued to trade barbs on social media, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue.
Conclusion
Sonko’s visit to Morocco comes at a delicate moment, balancing diplomatic cooperation with the need to address the concerns of detained Senegalese supporters. The meetings and economic forum are expected to reaffirm the long-standing ties between the two nations, even as both governments work to ease tensions arising from the football final.
