Senegal PM to visit Morocco After Football Unrest 

Senegal PM to visit Morocco After Football Unrest

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, is scheduled to begin an official visit to Morocco on Monday.

This trip comes in the wake of significant football-related unrest during the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held in Rabat.

The diplomatic mission follows the detention of eighteen Senegalese supporters in Morocco. These fans are facing charges of hooliganism connected to the final match on January 18, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 to claim the continental title.

The fans’ trial, which opened this past Thursday, has been postponed until January 29. The incidents during the final were marked by a 20-minute pitch walk-off by Senegalese players and clashes between rival supporters in the stands and on social media.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed regret over the violence, while Prime Minister Sonko has called for a de-escalation of tensions. Both leaders are working to prevent the sporting rivalry from damaging the long-standing friendly relations between the two nations.

The visit is structured around a pre-planned joint commission and a Moroccan-Senegalese economic forum. Officials hope to use these bilateral meetings to strengthen cooperation in key sectors like energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Despite the recent friction, the two West African and North African powerhouses share deep religious and economic ties.

This diplomatic visit is seen as a critical step in restoring harmony and reinforcing their strategic partnership.