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Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is set to visit Morocco on Monday, days after clashes involving Senegalese football supporters at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final led to multiple arrests, officials said.
The visit comes as 18 Senegalese fans remain in pre-trial detention in Morocco over alleged hooliganism linked to the January 18 final, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. Court proceedings against the supporters began on Thursday in Rabat but were adjourned until January 29.
Despite the fallout from the football-related unrest, officials stressed that relations between Senegal and Morocco remain cordial, with longstanding cooperation in areas such as tourism, energy, transport and infrastructure, as well as shared religious ties.
According to a source at Senegal’s foreign ministry, Sonko’s trip is being held under the framework of a joint bilateral commission scheduled to meet on Monday and Tuesday.
Moroccan state media reported that a Morocco-Senegal economic forum will also take place during the visit.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed regret over the incidents surrounding the final, while Sonko has urged calm and restraint.
However, exchanges between rival supporters from both countries have continued on social media in the aftermath of the match.
