Senegalese Prime Minister Calls for Calm, Affirms Strong Ties with Morocco After AFCON Final Incidents

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has called for calm and restraint following the incidents that accompanied the Africa Cup of Nations final, emphasizing that what occurred should not extend beyond the sporting arena. He also highlighted the deep historical relations between Morocco and Senegal.

The Senegalese government official explained that he held extensive discussions with his Moroccan counterpart, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. Both parties, acting on high directives from King Mohammed VI and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, agreed to continue joint work in an atmosphere of calm and respect to strengthen the long-standing bonds between the two countries.

Sonko wrote in a post on his Facebook account: "I held extensive discussions with my counterpart, the Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch. We agreed together, under the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, to continue working in a spirit of calm, reassurance, and openness, in order to strengthen the deep and rooted historical ties that unite our two countries."

The Senegalese government stated that it is closely monitoring, in coordination with accredited consular and diplomatic authorities and Moroccan authorities, the situation of fans who were arrested in Rabat, as well as the conditions of Senegalese citizens residing in Morocco. It also urged caution regarding the flood of circulating news, especially on social media and some media outlets, most of which falls under the category of misinformation.

On this occasion, we call on our citizens in both countries, and all friends, to de-escalate the tension surrounding this event, which should under no circumstances go beyond the purely sporting framework, as the common challenges facing us are far greater and more important. For this reason, we mutually expressed our satisfaction with the convening of the fifteenth session of the Joint High Commission between the two countries, scheduled for January 26-28 in Rabat, under the effective co-chairmanship of the two heads of government.

It is worth noting that the date for this important bilateral meeting, which had not been held since 2013 in Dakar, was jointly agreed upon at the end of December 2025.

In conclusion, Senegal reaffirms its historical commitment and its continuous efforts to solidify relations of friendship, peace, and mutual respect among states, peoples, and nations.