Rabat – Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko arrived in Rabat early Monday for an official visit to take part in the 15th session of the Morocco–Senegal High Joint Commission for Cooperation.
Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and senior officials received the Senegalese official at Rabat-Sale Airport.
The Senegalese official is accompanied by a delegation that includes ministers of several departments, including foreign affairs, higher education, trade, economy, and agriculture.
The 15th session of the high commission seeks to identify new areas of cooperation to revive and reinforce the partnership between Morocco and Senegal.
The two countries share good diplomatic ties, covering several sectors.
Last year, Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour told Senegalese government daily Le Soleil that trade between the two countries has grown significantly since 2010. Trade rose from $98.5 million in 2010 to $370 million in 2023.
He said this reflects sustained momentum thanks to a shared development vision between the two countries.
“Senegal is a pivotal partner in our strategy for industrial co-development in Africa,” Mezzour said, stressing Rabat’s goal to build shared prosperity with the rest of Africa.
A statement from the Head of Government Office today renewed Morocco’s commitment to bilateral ties between the two countries.
In a meeting between Sonko and Akhannouch, both parties reaffirmed Morocco and Senegal’s commitment and constant aspiration to “elevate bilateral cooperation to multidimensional levels.”
The statement added that Akhanouch and Sonko emphasized the two countries’ dedication to the spirit of “brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual respect” that both countries uphold in favor of Africa.
“They praised the role of the Moroccan community living in Senegal and the Senegalese community in Morocco in enriching the privileged partnership that binds the two countries,” a statement said.
In the meeting, Akhannouch also stressed the deep human, spiritual, and economic ties between the two countries, with talks also serving as an opportunity to “note the qualitative leap achieved in ministerial meetings.”
The statement stressed the importance of the 15th Morocco-Senegal High Commission for cooperation as an opportunity to further reinforce sectoral cooperation.
In the aftermath of AFCON
The meeting unfolds in a climate still defined and marked by the aftermath of the Morocco vs Senegal AFCON final.
Chaotic and violent scenes went viral online, marked by the temporary withdrawal of the Senegalese football team from the pitch during the AFCON final to protest against a legitimate penalty awarded to the Moroccan team.
Following the penalty decision, coach Pape Thiaw incited players to leave the pitch– a decision that, in football law and regulations, is punishable by a forfeit. Despite the decision, Sadio Mane and some officials intervened to convince the Senegalese players to return to the pitch, but only after a tense and chaotic atmosphere that shaped the closing of the tournament and significantly affected Morocco’s performance.
During the chaotic event, some Senegalese fans also reacted with violence and vandalism, destroying the stadium seats and using them as weapons against security guards.
The situation sparked anger and outrage, with Moroccans urging the football federation to take necessary measures to protest Senegal’s acts deemed deplorable. Many are asking the Confederation of African Football to impose urgent sanctions, including stripping the AFCON trophy and eliminating the country from the 2026 World Cup.
Many have been urging calm and restraint, especially amid anger and frustration stemming from hostile campaigns targeting Morocco, its hosting of the AFCON, and the national team.
King Mohammed VI reacted to the backlash last week, stressing that the final moments of the tournament witnessed “regrettable incidents” following deplorable behaviors.
The monarch, however, expressed pride in Morocco’s successful hosting of the AFCON, stressing that the country offered its soil to host a “month of popular joy and sporting emotion” that contributed to the prominence of Africa and its football.
The King said Morocco’s success is Africa’s success, stating that the hostile campaigns and schemes that surrounded the tournament will never reach their goals.
The monarch also stressed Morocco’s commitment towards Africa, stating that “nothing will alter the closeness that was fostered over centuries between our African people, nor the fruitful cooperation built hand in hand with different countries of the continent, bolstered by ever ambitious partnerships.”
It remains to be seen whether Morocco and Senegal will address the AFCON controversy during a meeting or a press conference at the 15th session of the joint commission.
