The General Union of Senegalese Students in Morocco (UGESM) has officially denied viral claims that Senegalese students were attacked in Moroccan cities after the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Since Sunday 18 January, social media has been flooded with alarming stories, but the union has now labelled them unfounded and urged people not to fall for “suspicious campaigns”.
In a statement issued from its central headquarters in Rabat on 21 January, UGESM explained that it immediately opened an internal inquiry as soon as the allegations began to circulate. The union contacted its regional branches and local representatives and coordinated with the relevant Moroccan authorities, concluding that no confirmed case of aggression against any Senegalese student had been recorded.
The statement stressed that the situation in all cities hosting Senegalese students remains stable and calm. It underlined that relations between the Senegalese and Moroccan communities are marked by mutual respect, and noted that Moroccan authorities continue to guarantee the safety of everyone without discrimination.
UGESM called on students and their families to avoid spreading or amplifying unverified information. It urged them to rely only on official communications from the Senegalese embassy in Morocco and the union’s own channels for accurate updates.
The union added that it remains in a state of constant vigilance. It confirmed ongoing coordination with the Senegalese embassy to monitor the situation closely and to ensure the security and peace of mind of Senegalese students living on Moroccan soil.
