Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has publicly criticized the handling of Senegalese football fans arrested following the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, Morocco, stating the judicial response “clearly went beyond sport.” Sonko addressed the diplomatic tensions stemming from the match during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, expressing regret that the fallout had not remained confined to the sporting arena.
“We truly did everything within our power,” Sonko told lawmakers, according to reports. “But this matter goes beyond sport, we must say it clearly. Considering the relations between our two countries, things should not have unfolded this way.”
The Africa Cup of Nations final, won by Senegal in what was described as tense circumstances, was followed by clashes and the arrest of 18 Senegalese supporters. A Moroccan court subsequently sentenced these supporters to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, a decision that has prompted a strong response from Dakar.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has already engaged directly with his Moroccan counterpart to address the situation, and Sonko confirmed he had held discussions with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Senegal’s foreign minister also participated in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions, though Sonko indicated these efforts had not fully addressed concerns regarding the fairness of the Moroccan judicial process.
“If Morocco grants a pardon to the detainees, that would be a positive step,” Sonko stated. He further noted that existing agreements between Senegal and Morocco allow for the possibility of requesting the transfer of the detainees to serve their sentences in Senegal should a pardon not be granted.
Sonko’s remarks follow a working visit to Morocco shortly after the final, widely interpreted as an attempt to mitigate the diplomatic strain. Despite these efforts, his public statement represents the clearest indication yet of the depth of the impact the incident has had on relations between Senegal and Morocco. The prime minister’s comments suggest Senegal is prepared to pursue all available avenues to secure the release or transfer of its citizens.
