Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, will on Monday begin an official visit to Morocco against the backdrop of lingering tensions following the detention of Senegalese supporters after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Morocco.

The visit comes as 18 Senegalese fans remain in pre-trial detention in Morocco, facing charges of hooliganism linked to incidents that followed the AFCON final on January 18, in which Senegal defeated host nation Morocco 1–0 after extra time. Their trial, which opened at a Rabat court on Thursday, has been adjourned until January 29.

Despite the controversy, officials from both countries have stressed the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations. Senegal and Morocco cooperate across key sectors including tourism, energy, infrastructure and transport, and also share deep religious and cultural ties.

Sonko’s trip is taking place within the framework of a joint Senegalese–Moroccan commission scheduled to hold meetings on Monday and Tuesday, according to a source at Senegal’s foreign ministry. The visit is also expected to feature a Moroccan–Senegalese economic forum, as reported by Morocco’s state news agency, MAP, highlighting efforts to keep economic and diplomatic engagement on track.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed regret over the incidents surrounding the final, while Prime Minister Sonko has publicly called for calm and de-escalation of tensions, even as rival supporters from both countries continue to exchange barbs on social media.

Observers say the visit offers an opportunity for quiet diplomacy, with Sonko expected to balance Senegal’s concern over the detained fans with a broader push to preserve cooperation and prevent the football-related incident from straining long-standing ties between the two West African and North African nations.