Dakar: Moroccan Ambassador Hassan Naciri reports limited incidents following the CAN final

Morocco’s Ambassador in Dakar, Hassan Naciri, stated that these events remain isolated and that, apart from this specific incident, no other official complaints have been recorded by the embassy services from members of the Moroccan community residing in Senegal.

According to the diplomat’s explanations, the incident occurred near Place de la République, where a gathering of Senegalese supporters was celebrating the final between the Moroccan and Senegalese national teams. Three Moroccan students were reportedly provoked and then assaulted as they passed near the area, while a nearby Moroccan café was targeted with stone throwing.

Mr. Naciri specified that Senegalese law enforcement forces intervened quickly, restoring calm. He stressed that the national police have taken charge of the case and are continuing their investigation, particularly as the establishment is equipped with surveillance cameras.

Regarding the targeted café, the ambassador expressed regret over these acts, recalling that its owner enjoys a good reputation among both Senegalese and Moroccans. He explained that at the time of the match, the café was hosting between 150 and 200 customers of Senegalese and Moroccan nationalities, in a friendly atmosphere. The incidents reportedly began with stones being thrown at the windows and doors, prompting customers to seek shelter while alerting the authorities. Some Senegalese present also reportedly attempted to calm the attackers.

During their escape, the perpetrators of the violence allegedly stole five motorcycles, three belonging to Moroccan citizens and two to Senegalese nationals. These acts are also the subject of an ongoing investigation.

The Moroccan ambassador personally visited the site to meet the owner and assess the damage. He confirmed that the café resumed its activities normally the day after the final. He also denied information reporting attacks on other Moroccan establishments in other cities in Senegal, describing them as unfounded rumors.

Finally, the embassy contacted Moroccan students and executives based in Senegal to ensure their safety. According to Mr. Naciri, no other cases of assault have been reported, and the students concerned are continuing their studies and training normally.

“The situation is generally calm,” the ambassador concluded, stressing that aside from this isolated incident and the assault on the three students, events remained limited and that the Moroccan community in Senegal was not targeted as a whole.

Editorial team/le7tv