Sénégal-Maroc : priorité à l’autre finale de coupe d’Afrique
In a commentary broadcast on RTS a few days before the Africa Cup of Nations final, journalist Omar Diaw expressed his delight that the tournament might culminate in the dream match between Senegal and Morocco, while also worrying about the potential impact of the high stakes on the close relationship between the two countries. Unfortunately, subsequent events proved him right. Since Sunday, following an incredible turn of events, real tension has persisted between the two nations. Accusations have been flying back and forth. But even worse, violence has marred what should have been a continental celebration.
For the past few days, tensions have been running high on social media, and also on the pitch. A few incidents have been reported, but above all, sensitive and often unverified information has been circulating. There is therefore a real risk of escalating tensions, especially given the dangerous influence of digital platforms. This raises a fundamental question: is a football match worth the privileged relationship between two countries like Senegal and Morocco, even if it is the Africa Cup of Nations final? The answer is clearly no.
It is therefore more than urgent to reduce tensions. Obviously, there is no question of sacrificing Senegalese football on the altar of diplomacy. In a previous column, we called on Senegal to organize a response against Morocco, CAF, and FIFA, who are trying to make our country the scapegoat. This fight remains more relevant than ever. It targets the Moroccan Football Federation for all the shortcomings before and during the final, but also CAF and FIFA, which are not without blame. We must now also include a portion of the French press, which is participating in this campaign against Senegal.
Students on the front line
However, this battle, which is simultaneously sporting, media-driven, and legal, must be led by the Federation, its advocates, and the authorities. It must not, under any circumstances, impact relations between Senegal and Morocco. This is precisely what several stakeholders on both sides are working towards. Yesterday, the student associations of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) and organizations representing Moroccan students at the same university issued a joint statement calling on the student community to remain calm and peaceful. "We strongly reiterate that Senegal and Morocco are united by historical, fraternal, and strong ties, founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and friendship," the statement reads.
The General Union of Senegalese Students in Morocco (UGESM) has also refuted the "rumors" of attacks against Senegalese students in Morocco. "After checks carried out with our local branches, our area leaders, and by cross-referencing information with the competent authorities, no confirmed case of attacks targeting Senegalese students has been officially reported to date," UGESM insists.
This prompted their colleagues in Senegal to urge everyone "to rely only on official information from the competent authorities." The Cored also played its part, calling on the media to be vigilant and responsible.
It is worth remembering that the two countries are linked by privileged relations.
Several agreements facilitate the integration of citizens in both countries. In education, there is a large Moroccan community at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. Many of them receive scholarships from the Senegalese government. The same is true for Senegalese people who are very active in education and business in Morocco. "Moroccans are considered Senegalese in Senegal, and Senegalese are considered Moroccan in Morocco," a Moroccan student points out. And that's not even mentioning religion and business.
Banks, imports, medical evacuations
This is why the highest authorities were the first to follow suit. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, receiving the Lions, African champions, profusely thanked Morocco for the treatment given to the national team, which was above all a message of appeasement.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko revealed that he had spoken with his Moroccan counterpart to ease tensions and work towards calm and serenity. "We call on our respective compatriots and all friends to depoliticize this episode, which, under no circumstances, can go beyond the purely sporting context. Our shared challenges are far more important," Sonko stated.
In summary, Sunday's final was just a football match, nothing more and nothing less, but with sporting consequences that must be fully accepted against the host country and the governing bodies of football, without however losing sight of the objective and thus compromising solid relationships maintained over a long period.
After all, while Senegal may have won the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, Rabat is far ahead of Dakar in the economic Africa Cup of Nations. And that's where the real stakes lie, as the euphoria of the AFCON only lasts a few days before reality sets in.
It is urgent today to work to ensure that the first bank in Dakar is Senegalese and not Moroccan, that horticulture and poultry farming are controlled by Senegalese people, and that medical evacuations to Rabat and Marrakech cease due to a lack of standard technical facilities.
Commentaires (14)
Personne ne doit les retenir s'ils veulent quitter l'Afrique 'bon vent '
L’histoire des serviettes a été la plus grosse honte de cette CAN. Et c’est pareil pour les jets de bananes et cris de singes racistes. De plus, les Sénégalais sont des musulmans et c’est vilain de tricher contre ses frères musulmans.
si la CAF et la FIFA sanctionnent le Sénégal, cela fera plus mal à l’image du Maroc qu’au Sénégal. Parce que sur les réseaux sociaux, c’est le Maroc qui est critiqué par les communautés du monde entier et dans toutes les langues.
Personnellement, en tant que Sénégalais je défends Birahim Diaz, parce que toute l’Afrique a besoin de lui pour la coupe du monde. Tout le monde peut rater un penalty. Il y a une vidéo sur YouTube où on voit Birahim marquer un penalty dans son club en tirant exactement de la même façon. De plus, j’ai envie d’acheter une scie à métaux pour couper la coupe en 2 et donner l’autre partie à nos frères marocains qui n’ont pas démérité et qui font partie des favoris pour gagner la prochaine CAN. Sadio Mané a déjà eu à rater un penalty en 2017 qui nous avait éliminés. On l’avait consolé et encouragé et depuis lors, il nous a fait gagner 2 CAN et plusieurs qualifications à la coupe du monde.
les Marocains ont travaillé et c'est depuis le Roi Hassan 2 et lls continuent avec le nouveau Roi. Tout n'est pas nickel parcequ il y a des marocains mécontents mais franchement c'est un modèle en Afrique.
Seul le travail paie donc Sénégal et nos dirigeants à de travailler.
This is what I do......................................... CASH54.COM
Le véritable combat est de développer le pays. La CAN c est pour 2 jours et c est fini.
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