Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has spoken with his Moroccan counterpart to reinforce ties and calm tensions following Senegal’s victory over Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement shared on social media, Sonko said the discussions with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch focused on maintaining “a spirit of appeasement, serenity, and détente” and strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
“Together, under the high instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency, President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, we agreed to continue working… to strengthen the long-standing and very deep ties that unite our two countries,” Sonko added.
The Senegalese government confirmed it is monitoring the situation of supporters detained in Rabat and Senegalese citizens living in Morocco.
Sonko warned against misinformation on social media, stressing that some reports were based on inaccurate or misleading information.
The Prime Minister also called on the peoples of both nations to depoliticize the debate, emphasizing that the dispute should remain within the realm of sport.
“We therefore call upon our respective compatriots and all friends to depoliticize this episode, which, under no circumstances, can go beyond the realm of sport. Our shared challenges are far more important,” Sonko said.
The talks coincided with preparations for the 15th session of the Joint High Commission between Senegal and Morocco, scheduled for January 26–28 in Rabat, under the joint chairmanship of both Prime Ministers.
The meeting, which had not been held in Dakar since 2013, aims to strengthen cooperation and reaffirm the historical commitment of both countries to peace, friendship, and mutual respect.
Sonko concluded by reiterating Senegal’s commitment to fostering fraternal relations: “Senegal wishes to reaffirm its historical commitment and tireless efforts for friendship and relations of peace and respect between States, peoples and nations.”
