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Rabat – The royal pardon granted by King Mohammed VI to Senegalese supporters jailed for violence and vandalism after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat has drawn wide coverage in Senegalese media, which framed the gesture as a humanitarian act and a symbol of the historic ties between Morocco and Senegal.
The development comes as Senegal itself faces a major political rupture, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissing Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, ending their once‑unbreakable alliance.
Media reaction in Senegal
Prominent outlets devoted extensive coverage to the pardon. Senenews described it as a “significant development” in a case that had stirred diplomatic and media debate for months.
The site pointed to the royal statement linking the decision to humanitarian considerations and the depth of relations between Rabat and Dakar.
State broadcaster RTS Sénégal called the pardon “a humanitarian gesture and a strong symbol of brotherhood,” noting its timing during Eid al‑Adha.
The channel stressed Morocco’s message that the move reflected values of compassion, generosity, and tolerance.
Leading daily Le Soleil labeled the pardon “a step toward calm,” stressing that it carried both humanitarian and diplomatic weight.
The paper argued the decision went beyond legal matters, showing the cultural, religious, and historical bonds between the two nations.
The Moroccan Royal Office confirmed the pardon on May 23, citing “humanitarian grounds” and the long‑standing friendship between Morocco and Senegal.
Political shock in Dakar
While Senegalese media commanded Morocco’s gesture, domestic headlines were dominated by the sudden dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
On May 22, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye signed Decree 2026‑128, removing Sonko and dissolving the government.
Ministers were instructed to handle routine affairs until a new cabinet is named.
The decision ended a partnership that had defined Senegal’s political transition in 2024. Sonko, once the face of opposition to Macky Sall, had backed Faye as the PASTEF party’s “Plan B” candidate when his own presidential bid collapsed due to legal troubles.
Their alliance delivered a historic victory, but tensions soon surfaced.
From allies to rivals
Differences in leadership style, policy vision, and influence at the top of the state gradually eroded trust.
Over recent months, disputes spilled into public view, creating confusion about Senegal’s direction. The dismissal formalized a split that many observers had already anticipated.
The dismissal marks the end of a partnership once seen as indestructible. It reshapes Senegal’s political landscape, opening space for new alliances and rivalries.
For many, the rupture is both a shock and a turning point, signaling the fragility of political unity and the uncertainty ahead.
Read also: King Mohammed VI Pardons Senegalese Fans Convicted During AFCON
