Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, is set to commence an official visit to Morocco on Monday, amid diplomatic attention following the detention of Senegalese fans after the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Eighteen Senegalese supporters are currently being held in pre-trial detention in Morocco, where they are facing charges related to alleged hooliganism during the AFCON final.
Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in the January 18 encounter.
The trial of the detained supporters began on Thursday at a court in Rabat but has since been adjourned, with proceedings now scheduled to resume on January 29.
Despite the incident, Senegal and Morocco continue to maintain cooperative relations across key sectors such as tourism, energy, infrastructure and transport, while also sharing deep-rooted religious and cultural ties.
Sonko’s visit is taking place under the framework of a joint bilateral commission between both countries, which is expected to hold meetings on Monday and Tuesday, according to a source at Senegal’s foreign ministry.
In addition, a Moroccan-Senegalese economic forum has been slated for the visit, the Moroccan state news agency MAP reported.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed regret over the incidents surrounding the final, while Sonko has urged calm and called for the de-escalation of tensions.
However, exchanges between rival supporters have continued on social media.
